An Ontario judge has cleared five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team of sexual assault charges, ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia delivered the verdict Thursday, citing credibility issues with the complainant’s testimony as a key factor in the acquittals of Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote. All five players had pleaded not guilty to charges stemming from an alleged incident in a London, Ontario, hotel room in June 2018.
The high-profile case followed years of speculation, investigations, and legal proceedings, including a lawsuit settlement, parliamentary hearings, and revived probes by Hockey Canada and the NHL. The trial itself faced complications, including a mistrial and the dismissal of the jury, leaving Justice Carroccia to render the final decision. Over nearly five hours, she meticulously outlined her reasoning, pointing to inconsistencies in the complainant’s account and her “tendency to blame others” for discrepancies in her story.
Carroccia also noted that while the woman repeatedly emphasized her extreme intoxication that night, surveillance footage from the bar and hotel—along with witness testimonies—did not support her claims. The judge’s ruling highlighted the challenges in proving the allegations, given the lack of corroborating evidence. The acquittals bring an end to a legal saga that has shadowed the players and Hockey Canada for years, raising broader questions about accountability in professional sports.
The case had drawn significant public attention, particularly amid growing scrutiny of Hockey Canada’s handling of sexual misconduct allegations. Despite the verdict, the controversy is likely to fuel further debate over transparency and justice in similar cases. For now, the five players—some of whom have continued their careers in the NHL—walk away legally cleared, though the reputational fallout may linger. The ruling underscores the complexities of prosecuting sexual assault cases where evidence hinges heavily on conflicting testimonies.