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Hockey Canada Releases Suspensions For Five Acquitted World Junior Players

Hockey Canada has upheld suspensions for five former NHL players after an independent board revealed that they breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct.

An independent appeal board has confirmed that five players from Canada’s 2018 World Junior team breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct.

The appeal, initiated on November 10, 2023, recommended distinct individual suspensions for the players involved, which have been accepted by Hockey Canada, the organization announced in a release Wednesday.

Prior to the results of the appeal, the five players were formally suspended from sanctioned events involving Hockey Canada.

The results of the suspensions for each player are as follows:

Alex Formenton: reinstated immediately

Cal Foote: suspended until November 10, 2026

Carter Hart: suspended until November 10, 2027

Dillon Dube: suspended until November 10, 2028

Michael McLeod: suspended until November 10, 2030

The five players included in this appeal were acquitted of sexual assault charges in July of 2025 in connection with an alleged incident that occurred in June of 2018 in London, Ontario.

It's been exactly one year since the five members of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were acquitted and found not guilty. One year later, here is where those five players are now in their professional hockey careers.

thehockeynews.comWhere Are They Now?: One Year Since Five Members Of Hockey Canada Sexual Assault Trial Were AcquittedIt's been exactly one year since the five members of the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial were acquitted and found not guilty. One year later, here is where those five players are now in their professional hockey careers.

According to Hockey Canada's release, the independent investigation found that no other player on the 2018 World Junior team breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, and are eligible to participate in the organization's sanctioned events, effective immediately.

Each player has been eligible to play in the NHL since the league reinstated them on December 1, 2025.

Hart has since joined the Vegas Golden Knights, while Foote and Dube each played in the AHL last season with the Chicago Wolves and Springfield Thunderbirds respectively.

Formenton has spent the last three seasons playing in Switzerland, while McLeod has spent the last three seasons in the KHL.

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