The landscape of Canadian hockey has been upended by a scandal that continues to reverberate through the sport. In recent developments, four NHL players have not received new contracts from their respective teams as a consequence of ongoing allegations and investigations.
The decision by NHL teams to avoid offering new contracts to their players comes on the heels of charges filed earlier this year and a subsequent lawsuit that alleges sexual assault by members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team. Specifically, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames have found themselves without qualifying offers, rendering them free agents.
The Allegations and Legal Actions
The scandal stems from a lawsuit filed in 2022 by a woman who alleges she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian team following a fundraising gala in London, Ontario, in June 2018. The woman, who was 20 years old at the time of the incident, claims she was taken to a hotel room by a player referred to as "John Doe #1" and that seven other men later entered the room and engaged in undisclosed sexual acts.
The woman further alleges that the men intimidated her and prevented her from leaving, directing her to take a shower and compelling her to state on video that she was sober. The London Police were alerted to the incident by a relative of the victim on June 19, 2018, leading to an initial investigation that was closed in 2019 without charges.
Ongoing Investigations and Repercussions
The lawsuit’s filing in 2022 reignited the investigation, resulting in charges against five team members. In February, specific charges were filed in London, Ontario, against these individuals. Among those implicated is Alex Formenton, who previously played in the NHL but is now competing with the Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta. He, along with the other players facing charges, took a leave of absence from their teams during the ongoing legal proceedings.
The NHL initiated its own thorough investigation into these serious allegations in 2022. As a result, the players involved were placed on paid leave until the end of this month. With their release into free agency looming, these players now confront an uncertain professional future as the legal processes unfold.
“For all the charges we have reasonable grounds for,” stated Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann from the London Police, underscoring the gravity and breadth of the ongoing investigations.
Impact on Canadian Hockey
The repercussions of this scandal have sent shockwaves through the Canadian hockey community and raised pressing questions about the need for introspection and reform within the sport’s organizational structure. Hockey Canada, the governing body for the sport in the country, has faced particularly intense scrutiny. It was revealed that Hockey Canada maintained two secret funds to resolve claims of sexual assault and abuse, further compounding the controversy and eroding public trust in the organization.
The alleged incident at the Delta Hotel London Armouries not only cast a shadow over the individuals involved but also prompted significant criticism of Hockey Canada’s handling of such serious allegations. The settlement of the lawsuit by Hockey Canada has done little to quell the public outcry and has, instead, led to intensified investigations and a broader reevaluation of the sport’s culture and policies related to abuse and misconduct.
As Hockey Canada and the broader hockey community grapple with the fallout from this scandal, it remains to be seen how the sport will address and rectify the systemic issues that have come to light. The current situation underscores a pivotal moment for Canadian hockey, one that demands meaningful change and accountability to rebuild trust and ensure the safety and integrity of the sport for all participants.