NHL makes 5 players acquitted of
sexual assault charges eligible to sign contract, play this season
[September 12, 2025]
By STEPHEN WHYNO
NEW YORK (AP) — The NHL is reinstating five players who were
acquitted of sexual assault charges stemming from an incident in
2018 when they were members of Canada's world junior team,
announcing Thursday they will be eligible to sign a contract Oct. 15
and take part in games Dec. 1.
The move comes roughly seven weeks since Carter Hart, Michael
McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were found not
guilty by a judge in London, Ontario. The Canadian government told
lawyers for the players last month it would not appeal the ruling.
They were not in the NHL at the time of the incident.
None of the players had current contracts and all are free agents.
Hart was with Philadelphia, McLeod and Foote with New Jersey, and
Dube with Calgary, while Formenton was playing in Europe, and their
respective teams let their previous deals expire last year after
charges were laid.
The NHL conducted its own investigation beginning in the spring of
2022 when the allegations came to light. It called the events that
transpired “deeply troubling and unacceptable” and that while they
were not found to be criminal, said the players' conduct did not
meet the standard of moral integrity.
The players met with league officials after the verdict and
expressed regret and remorse, the NHL said. Keeping them from
playing until Dec. 1 brings their total time away to nearly two
years.
The NHL Players' Association in a statement said it was pleased Dube,
Foote, Formenton, Hart and McLeod are getting the opportunity to
resume their careers.
“The players cooperated with every investigation,” the union said.
“Upon their full acquittal by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia,
we initiated discussions with the NHL regarding the players’ return
to work. To avoid a protracted dispute that would cause further
delay, we reached the resolution that the league announced today. We
now consider the matter closed and look forward to the players’
return.”
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Hockey player Cal Foote leaves the London Courthouse in London,
Ontario, Friday, May 2, 2025. (Geoff Robins/The Canadian Press via
AP, File)
Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly, earlier in the week,
said an update was coming “in the relatively near future" and
declined to go into the contents of the investigative process.
“Obviously, we take the matter very seriously, and that’s why it’s
still under review,” Daly said Tuesday in Las Vegas.
Training camps open next week, and the season begins Oct. 7. Many
teams are holding rookie camps, scrimmages or participating in
tournaments in the leadup to that.
Speaking Thursday at a prospects tournament hosted by Buffalo,
Columbus general manager Don Waddell said: "The league obviously has
followed this case and looked into it and the decision was made.
You’ve got to support the decision by the NHL.”
Asked about Hart on Wednesday in Voorhees, New Jersey, the head of
the company that owns the Flyers, said they would not comment at
this point.
“The NHL’s made it clear they’ll speak first,” Comcast Spectacor
chairman and CEO Dan Hilferty said. "But right now, we’re not
prepared to comment on the Carter Hart situation. The NHL has told
us they are running the show.”
Hart, McLeod, Dube and Foote last took part in NHL games in January
2024 before leaving their teams with charges pending. It was not
immediately clear how many of the players would be signed when
eligible, though Hart as a 27-year-old goaltender with significant
experience appears to be the most likely.
___
AP Hockey Writer John Wawrow in Buffalo, New York, and AP Sports
Writer Dan Gelston in Philadelphia contributed to this report.
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