Jury selection is set to begin today in the high-profile sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team. The trial is expected to unfold over the next eight weeks in London, Ontario, drawing significant media attention and public interest.
The accused players—Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—are charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident that allegedly occurred in June 2018 during a Hockey Canada gala celebrating their gold medal victory. All five players are anticipated to plead not guilty to the charges, with McLeod facing an additional charge of being a party to the offense of sexual assault.
The allegations first came to light in May 2022, when it was reported that Hockey Canada had reached a settlement with a woman, referred to publicly as E.M., who claimed she was sexually assaulted by several players from the team. E.M. alleges that after meeting the group at a local bar, she accompanied one player to a hotel room where the assault took place. According to her account, she engaged in consensual sex with one player, but others entered the room without her consent, leading to a series of non-consensual acts.
Initially, London police investigated the incident and closed the case in early 2019, citing insufficient grounds for charges. However, following public outcry and renewed scrutiny of Hockey Canada’s handling of the allegations, the case was reopened in 2022. The police collected new evidence, leading to the charges being laid in January 2024.
As the trial begins, the legal proceedings are expected to be rigorous, with each accused having their own legal representation. The presiding judge, Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia, will oversee the jury selection process, which is set to start at 10 a.m. today. During the trial, jurors will be tasked with determining the guilt or innocence of the accused based on the evidence presented, which will include testimony from E.M. and potentially other witnesses.
The trial has drawn attention not only because of the serious nature of the allegations but also due to the players' prominence in the hockey community. All five defendants went on to have professional careers in the NHL, with McLeod, Dube, and Foote having played for teams such as the New Jersey Devils and the Calgary Flames. Their contracts were not renewed following the charges, marking a significant moment in the intersection of sports and legal accountability.
Legal experts have noted the trial’s potential implications for the culture surrounding hockey in Canada, especially in light of ongoing discussions about consent and the treatment of sexual assault allegations. Daphne Gilbert, a law professor at the University of Ottawa, emphasized the importance of respecting complainants throughout the legal process, noting that the trial may be particularly challenging for E.M., who will face intense scrutiny from the defense.
"We're feeling very deeply for the young woman at the center of this case, knowing that what she is about to go through is going to be really difficult," said Jessie Rodger, head of Anova, a London-based agency for survivors of gender-based violence.
The trial is expected to address key legal questions regarding consent, with experts indicating that the definition of consent in Canada is clear: it must be ongoing and cannot be assumed based on previous interactions. The Crown will need to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the accused did not have consent from E.M. during the alleged assault.
Legal observers are particularly interested in how the jury will interpret the evidence and the testimonies. The Crown will present its case first, followed by the defense, which may include arguments centered on the credibility of E.M. and whether the accused believed they had consent.
As the trial progresses, it’s anticipated that the legal proceedings will highlight broader societal issues, including the culture of silence surrounding sexual assault in sports. Walter DeKeseredy, a sociologist who studies violence, described the trial as a historic moment in Canadian sports, suggesting that it could lead to significant changes in how such cases are handled in the future.
The public and media scrutiny surrounding the trial is expected to be intense, with journalists from across the country and beyond preparing to cover the proceedings. The outcome of this trial could have lasting implications not only for the accused but also for the broader conversation about accountability within the sports community.
As the jury selection begins, all eyes will be on the courtroom in London, Ontario, as the legal process unfolds in what has become one of the most significant sexual assault trials in Canadian history.
