Canadian hockey is currently grappling with a significant scandal involving allegations of sexual assault against members of the 2018 World Junior team. The implications have extended into the professional ranks, affecting several notable NHL players.
NHL Players Not Retained Amid Scandal
Four players still active in the NHL at the beginning of the scandal have not been offered new contracts by their respective teams. Philadelphia Flyers' goaltender Carter Hart, New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, and Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube are now free agents, revealed as their teams opted not to extend qualifying offers to them. This decision follows charges filed in February of this year and ongoing investigations that have cast a long shadow over their careers.
Roots of the Scandal
The scandal traces back to a fundraiser gala in June 2018 in London, Ontario. A woman, aged 20 at the time, claimed she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian team at the Delta Hotel London Armouries. The allegations state one player, referred to as "John Doe #1," initially took her to a hotel room where seven other men joined in for undisclosed sexual acts. The victim allegedly was intimidated and prevented from leaving the room and was later directed to take a shower and declare on video that she was sober.
The incident came to light when a relative of the victim reported it to the London Police on June 19, 2018. However, the initial investigation was closed in 2019 without any charges being filed. The case resurfaced in 2022 when the woman filed a lawsuit, prompting renewed police investigations and further action.
Legal and Organizational Repercussions
In February 2023, charges were brought against five players connected to the scandal. This led to the implicated players taking leaves of absence from their NHL teams. Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, and Philadelphia Flyers' Carter Hart were all placed on paid leave until the end of the month. Their future in the league now hangs in the balance as legal proceedings continue. Alex Formenton, another player formerly in the NHL and currently with Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta, has also been formally charged with sexual assault.
Hockey Canada, the national governing body for the sport, settled the lawsuit, but the fallout has continued. The organization faced scrutiny for maintaining two secret funds intended to resolve claims of sexual assault and abuse, intensifying calls for comprehensive reforms within the organization.
NHL Investigation and Broader Impacts
The NHL launched its investigation into the scandal in 2022, further underlining the significant impact on Canadian hockey. The ripple effect of these allegations and the ensuing investigations have been profound, highlighting deep-seated issues within the sport's culture and administration.
Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann from the London Police, involved in the ongoing investigation, remarked, "for all the charges we have reasonable grounds for," indicating the seriousness and substantiation behind the charges leveled against the players.
The professional future of the implicated players remains uncertain as they traverse the unfurling legal and organizational processes. As free agents, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Dillon Dube await the legal outcomes that will undoubtedly shape their careers henceforth.
Beyond individual careers, the scandal is a stark reminder of the pressing need for introspection and reform within Canadian hockey, calling attention to the broader cultural and institutional changes necessary to address such grievous issues effectively.