SQUARED OFF: Hockey Players Stuck in Suspensions
An independent appeals board has confirmed that four Canadian hockey stars who were acquitted of sexual assault last year stay suspended from all Hockey Canada‑sanctioned programmes. Only one, Alex Formenton, is now eligible to return to international play.
The players – Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Carter Hart – will only be cleared on staggered dates ranging from November 2024 to November 2030. Formenton, meanwhile, can play again on a date decided by the board.
The decision does not affect their NHL status—those teams operate under a separate authority and already allowed all five players to sign contracts earlier this year. It only bars them from representing Canada in international tournaments.
The case, which involved an alleged assault in a hotel room in 2018, ended in 2025 when the court found the victim’s evidence uncredible. The incident has continued to provoke discussion about athlete conduct and safe sport policies in Canada.
Adam van Koeverden, Canada’s secretary of sport, called the ruling a step toward a broader reform of “toxic culture.” He highlighted the importance of listening to survivors and holding national sport organisations accountable for systemic failures.
With this ruling, Hockey Canada signals its willingness to enforce its code of conduct, even when players have been found not guilty in court. The move could prompt other sports bodies to adopt clearer standards for athlete behaviour and foster a more respectful environment for all participants.
