In a case that has gripped Canada’s hockey community and raised profound questions about consent, power, and accountability, a verdict is set to be delivered on Thursday, July 24, 2025, in London, Ontario, involving five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team. The accused—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé, and Alex Formenton—stand trial for sexual assault following an incident that occurred after a Hockey Canada gala in June 2018.
The case centers on allegations made by a woman known only as E.M., whose identity is protected by a publication ban. E.M. testified that after consensual sex with McLeod in his hotel room at the Delta Armouries, she was forced into sexual acts with other team members who were invited in without her knowledge or consent. She described feeling naked, intoxicated, and scared, with no safe way to refuse the advances. Prosecutors argue that the players failed to ensure her voluntary consent, a key legal standard under Canadian law requiring consent to be given voluntarily and continuously for each sexual act.
Defense lawyers, however, painted a vastly different picture. They suggested E.M. was an active participant, even the instigator, seeking a “wild night” and that the allegations were fabricated to save face after the fact. Carter Hart, the only accused to testify, asserted that E.M. was an enthusiastic participant. The defense also vigorously cross-examined E.M. over inconsistencies in her testimony, her alcohol consumption, and her behavior during the incident.
The trial, which began in late April 2025, has been fraught with challenges. After two juries were dismissed—first due to an inappropriate encounter between a defense lawyer and a juror, and then following allegations of jury bullying by defense attorneys—Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia opted to proceed without a jury, hearing the case alone. Justice Carroccia, appointed to the bench in 2020 after decades as a criminal defense lawyer, is now tasked with delivering a verdict that could break new ground in sexual assault law, especially regarding consent amid power imbalances.
The original police investigation, launched shortly after the incident in 2018, was closed in 2019 without charges, a decision that has since drawn criticism. Detectives at the time believed there was insufficient evidence, but the case resurfaced in 2022 after TSN reported that Hockey Canada had quietly settled a $3.55 million lawsuit filed by E.M. against the organization, the Canadian Hockey League, and eight unnamed players. This settlement was reached without informing the accused players, prompting London police to reopen the investigation and eventually lay charges against the five men in January 2024.
This scandal has rocked Hockey Canada to its core. Revelations that the organization maintained secret funds to pay settlements on sexual assault claims and that its initial investigation was abruptly halted after the alleged victim declined to participate have sparked outrage. Several major sponsors, including Tim Hortons, Telus, Imperial Oil, Canadian Tire, and Scotiabank, withdrew their support during the height of the crisis between late 2022 and late 2023. The CEO and board of Hockey Canada resigned as the organization faced parliamentary scrutiny and public backlash.
In response, Hockey Canada has pledged to transform its culture, emphasizing safety, inclusiveness, and respect. Since 2022, it has implemented mandatory training on sexual violence and consent for all national team athletes, coaches, and staff, alongside tracking and publicly reporting all complaints related to maltreatment in hockey. Yet, despite these initiatives, many question whether the culture within hockey has truly changed or if the scandal merely exposed a symptom of a broader societal issue where athletes are often held to different standards regarding sexual conduct.
The trial has also cast a spotlight on the broader Canadian hockey system, particularly the junior leagues that serve as the primary development path for future NHL players. Despite the scandal, the system remains largely intact. At the 2025 NHL draft, 16 of the top 19 players selected came from the Canadian Hockey League, underscoring the system’s continued prominence. Meanwhile, a U.S. court dismissed a class-action lawsuit accusing the NHL and CHL of restricting junior players’ employment opportunities, reaffirming the status quo.
Public reaction to the trial has been intense and divided. Some have supported the defense’s narrative of youthful indiscretion, while others see the case as emblematic of the challenges victims face in coming forward. At women’s shelters and crisis centers, including the London Abused Women’s Centre, staff report an increase in victims seeking support, some inspired by E.M.’s courage in testifying.
The verdict itself carries significant consequences. If found guilty, the accused could face up to 10 years in prison under Canada’s Criminal Code. McLeod faces an additional charge of being a party to sexual assault, which carries equally serious penalties. Conversely, a not guilty verdict would mean the prosecution failed to prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt, though it would not equate to a declaration of innocence. Any convictions would likely be appealed, potentially delaying sentencing.
The future of the accused in professional hockey remains uncertain. None currently holds an active NHL contract, and all took leaves of absence following the charges. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has refrained from commenting on whether the players could return to the league, emphasizing respect for the judicial process. He stated in June 2025, “What has been alleged is abhorrent and disgusting and should not be allowed,” signaling the league’s intolerance for such conduct regardless of legal outcomes.
This case is more than a legal battle; it is a reckoning for Canadian hockey and the culture that surrounds it. It challenges entrenched attitudes about power, consent, and accountability in sports and society. As Justice Carroccia prepares to deliver her verdict, the nation watches, hoping for justice and meaningful change in a sport that holds a cherished place in Canada’s identity.
