April trial date set for ex-Canadian world junior hockey players accused of sexual assault
Official trial proceedings are expected to last 8 weeks
WARNING: This article references sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced sexual violence or know someone affected by it.
Five players accused of sexually assaulting a woman after a gala celebrating their 2018 world junior hockey win in London, Ont., will now stand trial beginning in April 2025, a judge ruled Tuesday.
The ruling sets a firm date of Apr. 22, 2025, for the start of an eight-week trial that was initially scheduled for September 2025.
The players are facing charges tied to an alleged group sexual assault in a player's hotel room on June 19, 2018.
The accused all played professional hockey following the alleged assault, most of them in the NHL. Michael McLeod and Cal Foote were with the New Jersey Devils, Dillon Dubé was with the Calgary Flames and Carter Hart was with the Philadelphia Flyers. Their NHL contracts expired in July. Former NHLer signed to the Ottawa Senators Alex Formenton was playing in Switzerland at the time the charges were announced.
All five are expected to plead not guilty to one count each of sexual assault, with McLeod also expected to plead not guilty to one count of being party to the offence.
A publication ban prevents the release of information that could lead to the identification of the alleged victim and two witnesses.
Shortly after charges were laid, the players opted for a jury trial.
The police investigation into the players was initially closed without charges in 2019 but reopened in 2022. London's current police chief apologized to the complainant earlier this year for the delay in laying charges.
Accusations against the players made public in 2022 sent shockwaves through Canada's hockey culture and its governing body, Hockey Canada. That reckoning resulted in the resignation of Hockey Canada's entire board of directors and CEO.
In August, two of the five players signed contracts to play in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Astana Barys, a team based in Kazakhstan, signed McLeod to a deal that expires at the end of May 2025. The Belarus-based KHL team Dinamo Minsk also has listed Dubé on its roster.
The trial is expected to run for eight weeks in London, following months of pre-trial motions. The next set of pre-trial motions is set for Nov. 25.
None of the allegations have been proven in court.
For anyone who has been sexually assaulted, there is support available through crisis lines and local support services via this government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you're in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.