📰 What Happened in the Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial?
A highly publicized court case involving five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Team reached a major turning point today as Justice Maria Carroccia began delivering verdicts in a London, Ontario courtroom.
The case, which has dominated headlines for months, involved allegations of sexual assault stemming from an incident in June 2018. The complainant, known as E.M. due to a publication ban, alleged that multiple players engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with her in a hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala event.
✅ Who Has Been Found Not Guilty So Far?
As of Thursday morning, three of the five accused players have been acquitted of all charges:
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Carter Hart
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Alex Formenton
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Cal Foote
Justice Carroccia stated that the evidence presented by the Crown was not credible or reliable enough to support convictions beyond a reasonable doubt.
“I do not find the evidence of E.M. to be either credible or reliable,” the judge said during her ruling.
🔍 Key Highlights from the Verdict
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E.M. was found to have exaggerated her level of intoxication, according to the judge, based on video evidence and testimony.
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The judge accepted testimony from the accused players, who stated that all interactions were consensual.
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Group chats between the players following the incident were not seen as attempts to collude, but rather as “recollections of the events.”
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The judge questioned E.M.’s inconsistencies, including gaps in memory, conflicting statements about alcohol consumption, and her repeated reference to sharing “her truth” rather than “the truth.”
⛔ Why the Jury Was Dismissed Mid-Trial
The original jury was discharged in May 2025 after a juror alleged misconduct by defense attorneys. The judge determined that the trial’s fairness had been compromised and converted the case to a judge-only trial, a rare but legal move in Canada.
⚖️ What Were the Allegations?
The complainant alleged that after consensual sex with one player (Michael McLeod), multiple teammates entered the room and assaulted her. The players maintained that all activities were consensual and that E.M. expressed willingness through her words and actions.
Courtroom evidence included:
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Group chats discussing how to respond to Hockey Canada’s internal investigation
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Consent videos filmed shortly after the encounter
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Text messages from the accused and the complainant
🌐 Broader Impact on Hockey Canada and Canadian Sports
The case sparked a national debate over sexual misconduct in sports and the culture within Canadian hockey. In 2022, Hockey Canada admitted it had quietly settled with the complainant and maintained a fund to address similar cases.
The controversy led to:
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Loss of major sponsorships
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Government funding being frozen
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A full-scale parliamentary investigation into Hockey Canada’s operations
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Renewed efforts to address “systemic issues” in hockey culture
🚨 What’s Next?
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Verdicts for the remaining two accused players, Michael McLeod and Dillon Dube, are still pending.
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Legal analysts expect those decisions to follow shortly.
📢 NHL’s Response
When asked earlier this year about the players’ futures, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said the league would await the court’s final decision before commenting.
“What has been alleged is abhorrent and disgusting. We respect the judicial process,” he stated.
📌 Final Thoughts
The Hockey Canada sexual assault trial is more than a legal proceeding—it’s a cultural moment for Canada. As verdicts continue, many are watching to see how the justice system, sports organizations, and public opinion respond.