London Police Service confirmed that Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton face sexual assault charges in relation to an investigation into allegations involving members of the 2018 Canadian world juniors team.
London Police Service confirmed that Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton face sexual assault charges in relation to an investigation into allegations involving members of the 2018 Canadian world juniors team.
London, Ont., police held a press conference to update the public on an investigation into allegations of sexual assault involving five members of the 2018 Canadian world juniors team.
London Police Service chief Thai Truong said the police found sufficient grounds to charge five adult males with sexual assault. Those men include current NHL players Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote, and former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton. McLeod was also charged with a second count of sexual assault for being a party to the offense in relation to aiding someone else in committing an offense, according to Det. Sgt. Katherine Dann.
The lawyers for the players say their clients will plead not guilty to the charges. The allegations have not been proven in court.
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Lawyers for five members of Hockey Canada’s 2018 world juniors roster appeared in a London court this morning for a brief 15-minute hearing, as reported by TSN's Rick Westhead.
At Monday morning’s hearing, as Westhead reported, the crown attorney told the court that “substantial” paper and audio evidence collected by London police in connection with the case would be sent today to the players’ lawyers.
While both the prosecution and defense prepare their case and review the disclosed information and investigation findings, the justice of the peace has ordered a publication ban on the identity of the victim, as well as of two witnesses.
The alleged assault took place following a Hockey Canada gala in June of 2018. The investigation was re-opened in July 2022, Truong said.
“After the event, the accused and several teammates met the victim at a downtown bar and later invited her to a hotel room where the sexual assault by the individuals now charged took place,” said Truong.
“This investigation has been a length and complex process. I want to recognize and acknowledge the victim for her courage and her incredible strength throughout,” Truong added.
Truong also extended his "sincerest apology" to the victim, identified only as E.M., and her family for the time it's taken to reach this point.
"As a police officer working in this space for many many years, I can tell you that this is a difficult, difficult situation for all victims and survivors of sexual violence," Truong said.
The five players surrendered themselves to police and were released on undertakings, according to Truong.
While Truong said there are many questions the media and the public have related to the initial investigation, as well as the 2022 investigation, he said the judicial process needs to be respected.
“The presumption of innocence until proven guilty is a cornerstone of our justice system, and it applies to the five accused, but right now, our organization is focused on supporting the victim and upholding the integrity of the criminal trial process. Today’s charges are a critical, critical step as we move forward,” said Truong.
Next to the podium at the London Police Service press conference was Dann, who described the incident in depth, including details surrounding the initial investigation. Dann was assigned to lead the 2022 review of the initial occurrence.
“Upon review of the occurrence, it was determined that there were additional steps that could be taken to advance the investigation. As a result, the investigation was re-opened, and a team of investigators were assigned,” Dann said.
As Dann stated, the information collected from both 2018 and 2022 is part of one ongoing investigation, not two.
“The evidence that was collected in 2018 and 2019 was used in combination with newly gathered evidence to form reasonable and probably grounds to charge these five individuals with sexual assault,” said Dann.
Dann also read a statement from Karen Bellehumeur, the legal representative of the victim.
“It takes an incredible amount of courage for any survivor of sexual assault to report to police and participate in the criminal justice system. That is certainly true for E.M. Yet she remains committed to see this process through. We simply ask that the media and others respect her privacy and her dignity as this matter proceeds through the court process,” the statement said.
Hockey Canada released a statement after the press conference saying it has co-operated fully with the London Police Service throughout its investigation and remains committed to supporting the legal process.
All players from Canada's 2018 world juniors team remain ineligible to play, coach, officiate or volunteer with Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs pending the completion of an appeal process, according to the statement. The appeal is in response to a report by an independent panel about whether certain members of the 2018 team breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct and, if so, what sanctions should be imposed against them.
“Hockey Canada recognizes that in the past we have been too slow to act and that in order to deliver the meaningful change that Canadians expect of us, we must work diligently and urgently to ensure that we are putting in place the necessary measures to regain their trust, and provide all participants with a safe, welcoming and inclusive environment on and off the ice,” said Hockey Canada president-CEO Katherine Henderson in the statement.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman addressed the allegations during media availability at NHL All-Star weekend calling the alleged assault “abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable.” The NHL also investigated the incident, interviewing each member of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, a process Bettman said took close to a year to complete. This investigation was completed in the fall of 2023 and has since been in discussions with the NHLPA “as to how best to use the information to move forward.”
The next hearing, where information from the disclosure of the investigations will be discussed, is reportedly scheduled for April 30, 2024.