Legal clearance does not equal eligibility
Hockey Canada has decided to keep the suspensions of five former members of its 2018 world‑junior squad in place, even after a Canadian court cleared them of sexual‑assault charges earlier this year.
The controversy stems from an incident at a post‑championship gala in London, Ontario, where the players allegedly assaulted a woman. Although the criminal case ended with acquittals in 2025, Hockey Canada’s governance board ruled that the conduct still violated its code of conduct.
Alex Formenton, one of the five, was the only one granted immediate reinstatement, allowing him to return to sanctioned activities without delay. The other four remain barred for periods that stretch from late 2026 to November 10, 2030.
Cal Foote’s suspension ends in 2026, Carter Hart’s in 2027, Dillon Dube’s in 2028, and Michael McLeod’s in 2030. While the rest of the 2018 roster can now take part in Hockey Canada‑approved programs, anyone hoping to earn a spot on future national teams will face an additional layer of scrutiny.
The organization announced that a third‑party review of the 2018 National Junior Team findings will be conducted before any player is considered for international competition, ensuring that legal outcomes do not automatically translate into eligibility.