The National Hockey League says it expects to announce soon whether five former Hockey Canada players, who were found not guilty in a high-profile sexual assault case, will be allowed to return to the league.
Deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters this week that a decision should come “in the near future.” He emphasized that the league is still reviewing the case because of its seriousness and the impact it has had on both the sport and the public.
The players involved are Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Callan Foote. They were acquitted in July 2024 after a lengthy trial in London, Ontario, more than seven years after the alleged incident.
McLeod was also cleared of an additional charge of being part of the offence.
At the time of the allegations, the players were members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team, which had been celebrated for winning gold.
Even though the court found them not guilty, the NHL immediately said the players would remain ineligible until the league reviewed the trial findings. Hockey Canada also kept its suspension on them, preventing participation in any of its programs.
The NHL Players’ Association strongly criticized the league’s stance, saying players should not be barred after being cleared in court.
The legal battle and suspensions have had a major effect on the players’ careers.
Carter Hart, a goaltender once considered a rising star with the Philadelphia Flyers, hasn’t played since the 2023–24 season.
Michael McLeod and Callan Foote were with the New Jersey Devils but moved to Russia’s KHL after the scandal.
Dillon Dubé, previously with the Calgary Flames, also played in the KHL in 2024–25.
Alex Formenton, once with the Ottawa Senators, briefly retired but has since signed with a team in Switzerland’s top league.
The case stemmed from an early morning encounter on June 19, 2018, in a London hotel. Several members of the Canadian junior team were in the city to celebrate their championship win. The allegations sparked a nationwide discussion about consent, accountability, and hockey culture.
After years of investigation and a highly publicized trial, the judge ruled there was not enough evidence to convict the players, leading to their acquittal.
The NHL says its internal review must be thorough to ensure fairness and protect the sport’s reputation. Daly stressed that while the league respects the court’s ruling, it must also consider player conduct and the values expected of professional athletes.
No firm date has been set, but the league has suggested the decision could arrive within weeks.
Daly also addressed preparations for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan and Cortina, Italy. He said the main hockey arena is still under construction but should be ready for test events by December. The NHL is planning to send its players to the Games for the first time since 2014.
After experimenting with a decentralized draft in June, where teams made picks from their home cities instead of gathering in one location, Daly confirmed the format will return. Though criticized for being slow, most teams supported keeping it, with improvements promised for the next event.
A new collective bargaining agreement has also changed the rules on what players can wear when arriving at arenas. Teams now have more freedom to set their own dress codes. Daly noted this was a bigger issue for some clubs than for the league overall.
Finally, Daly announced that traditional training camp fitness tests will be eliminated after the 2025–26 season. He said the change comes after discussions between the league and the players’ union.
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