
London Police is set to provide an update on the sexual assault allegations involving five players on the 2018 Canadian world junior team Monday afternoon. Here's what their hockey careers have been like to this point.
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The London Police Service revealed more details regarding sexual assault charges laid on five members of the 2018 Team Canada world junior team at a press conference on Monday afternoon.
Four current NHL players — Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote — and one ex-NHLer playing overseas in Switzerland, Alex Formenton, have been charged with sexual assault, according to their respective lawyers. Their lawyers said the players will plead not guilty.
On Monday morning, lawyers for the players appeared in London, Ont., court to speak with the justice of the peace about next steps in this case, known as the "first appearance," as reported by TSN's Rick Westhead. The justice of the peace ordered a publication ban on the identity of the alleged victim as well as two witnesses in the case, and the next hearing date for the case is scheduled for April 30, Westhead reported.
The charges are related to an alleged group sexual assault of a female in a London Hotel following a Hockey Canada event in 2018. The allegations have not been proven in court.
All five players are on indefinite leave with their respective clubs. Here's what their role was on the ice for the Canadian world junior team in 2018, where they are now in their professional hockey careers and their contract status.
Philadelphia Flyers, G, Drafted 48th overall (2016)
WJC role: Hart was Canada’s No. 1 netminder throughout the 2018 World Junior tournament, recording a tournament-high .930 save percentage and 1.81 goals against average. While Sweden’s Filip Gustavsson was crowned the tournament's top goaltender, Hart outplayed Gustavsson in the gold medal game.
Today: In Hart's first two NHL seasons, he combined for a .915 save percentage in 74 games and posted a .926 save percentage in 14 playoff games in 2019-20. In the four seasons since, Hart has combined for a .901 save percentage and 3.10 GAA. This year, before taking a leave of absence, he was splitting the crease with Samuel Ersson. Hart could’ve been in the running for one of Canada’s three goalie spots at the 2026 Olympics.
Contract Status: Hart is in the final season of a three-year contract worth $3.979 million per year. The 25-year-old will be an RFA after the 2023-24 season.
New Jersey Devils, C, Drafted 12th overall (2016)
WJC role: McLeod was deployed predominantly as a bottom-six forward for Canada, finishing the tournament with one goal and four points in seven games.
Today: McLeod, 26, has been a bottom-six center for the New Jersey Devils since breaking into the league in 2018-19 and getting a regular spot in 2020-21. McLeod recorded 10 goals and 19 points before leaving the Devils over a week ago, which put him on pace for a career-high 34 points.
Contract Status: McLeod is on a one-year, $1.4-million contract. He will be an RFA after the 2023-24 season.
Calgary Flames, C, Drafted 56th overall (2016).
WJC role: Dube was Canada’s captain at the 2018 world juniors. He registered three goals and five points in seven contests, including the first goal in the gold medal game against Sweden.
Today: After proving hismelf as a reliable bottom-six scorer in the previous four seasons, Dube’s three goals and seven points in 43 games this season had him on pace for a career-low 13 points. Before leaving the Flames — for what was originally explained as an indefinite need to address his mental health — the 25-year-old was in the midst of a 24-game point drought.
Contract Status: Dube is in the final season of a three-year contract worth $2.3 million per year. He will be an RFA after the 2023-24 season.
New Jersey Devils, D, Drafted 14th overall (2017)
WJC role: Foote was a bottom-pairing defenseman for Team Canada and recorded zero goals and three points in seven games.
Today: After being an NHL regular for most of the last three seasons, Foote had spent the majority of the 2023-24 season with the AHL’s Utica Comets, recording two goals and nine points in 24 contests. Foote was with the Devils when he took a leave of absence, recording one point in four NHL games this year.
Contract Status: Foote is in the final year of a one-year, $800,000 contract. He will be an RFA after the 2023-24 season.
NHL RFA, LW, Drafted 47th overall (2017)
WJC role: Formenton recorded two goals and four points in seven world junior contests. Formenton, who scored an empty-net goal to seal Canada’s gold medal victory over Sweden, scored two goals against Switzerland during the preliminary round.
Today: Formenton, 24, has not played in the NHL since 2021-22, when he recorded 18 goals and 32 points in his first full season with the Ottawa Senators. He has spent the last two years playing for Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss League, recording 10 goals and 16 points in 24 games this season before taking a leave of absence.
Contract Status: Formenton is a restricted free agent after completing his entry-level contract in 2021-22. He and the Senators have not agreed to a new contract since then.