This saga has dragged on for years and it still isn't over. Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Michael McLeod were all acquitted of sexual assault in a London, Ontario courtroom this past July, closing out the criminal side of a case tied to a 2018 world juniors celebration gone wrong. But acquittal in a criminal court and clearance from the sport's governing body are two very different things, and Hockey Canada made that distinction official Wednesday.
Chris Johnston broke the news that Hockey Canada's independent appeal board concluded all 5 players breached the organization's code of conduct, and laid out reinstatement dates that vary wildly by player. Per reporting, Formenton is reinstated immediately, Foote is out until November 10, 2026, Hart until November 10, 2027, Dube until November 10, 2028, and McLeod, who faced an additional charge at trial, is suspended the longest, until November 10, 2030.
TSN's coverage, via Rick Westhead, confirms the board's findings were formally accepted by Hockey Canada, which means this isn't a recommendation sitting in limbo. It's now the organization's official position, separate from anything a jury decided.
An independent appeal board has confirmed that five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct and recommended staggered suspensions which have been accepted by Hockey Canada. Story from @rwesthead: https://t.co/aDvpbhT2YQ
The staggered timeline is the wrinkle worth sitting with. This isn't a blanket suspension applied evenly across the group. Hockey Canada's board apparently weighed each player's individual conduct that night differently, which is why Formenton walks free today while McLeod is looking at a suspension that stretches into the next decade.
None of these suspensions actually affect NHL eligibility, since that's a league matter and the NHL already cleared all 5 to return following their acquittals. Hart signed a 2-year deal with Vegas worth $2 million annually, McLeod remained with New Jersey, Dube landed a tryout with St. Louis's AHL affiliate, and Foote signed in Chicago's AHL system. This is strictly about their standing with the organization that runs Canadian national team hockey, and it's a reminder that these guys are cleared to play but still a long way from being fully welcomed back into the program that once celebrated them as gold medalists.