A protracted penalty
Carter Hart, the goaltender who backstopped the 2018 Canadian world junior team, was acquitted in a criminal court in July 2025 after being charged with sexual assault stemming from an incident at a London, Ontario, hotel in 2018. Despite the verdict, Hockey Canada’s independent appeal board upheld a finding that Hart had breached the organization’s code of conduct, extending his suspension through November 10, 2027.
The suspension is part of a broader disciplinary wave that also ensnared four of his former teammates. Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod and Alex Formenton each received bans that run until 2026, 2028 and 2030, with Formenton the only one reinstated. Hockey Canada has said that only players who have not violated its code of conduct may be considered for upcoming international programs.
Consequently, any athlete who hopes to represent Canada on the world stage will now be subject to an enhanced screening process administered by the governing body. The measure is intended to prevent further breaches while the organization rebuilds confidence in its roster selection.
Hart’s professional trajectory in the National Hockey League remains unaffected; he signed a contract with the Vegas Golden Knights after a season with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2025‑26. The league’s disciplinary framework does not intersect with Hockey Canada’s internal sanctions, leaving his NHL participation untouched.
The case originated in the summer of 2018, when a hotel altercation involving the 2018 Canadian world junior team led to police involvement and a subsequent trial. The criminal proceedings concluded with acquittals, but the internal investigation persisted, culminating in the recent appeal board decision that cemented the lengthy suspension.
Hockey Canada described the sanctions as the final disciplinary outcomes of a lengthy 2018 investigation, emphasizing that the prolonged wait reflects the seriousness with which the organization treats violations of its code of conduct. The move signals a decisive stance that may influence future player conduct and selection for international competition.