Hockey Canada: Suspensions Upheld, Formenton Reinstated
Hockey Canada Upholds Suspensions for Four 2018 World Junior Players, Reinstates One
Key Points
Independent investigation found no evidence that any other player on Canada's 2018 National Junior Team breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct, making those players immediately eligible for Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs.
The appeal panel included John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen, who ruled that Formenton could be reinstated immediately to participate in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programming.
Foote briefly signed with a Swedish club this summer, but the contract was rescinded days later after backlash from fans and stakeholders.
At the time of the decision, the four other players had established NHL affiliations: Hart with the Philadelphia Flyers; McLeod and Foote with the New Jersey Devils; Dubé with the Calgary Flames, while Formenton had been playing overseas after previously with the Ottawa Senators.
An independent Hockey Canada appeal board has upheld suspensions against four players from the 2018 World Junior Championship team, while immediately reinstating a fifth. USA Today reported that the panel confirmed all five players breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct — but Alex Formenton can return to Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs right away.
The remaining suspensions run years into the future. Cal Foote is suspended until November 10, 2026. Carter Hart's ban ends November 10, 2027. Dillon Dubé is suspended until November 10, 2028. Michael McLeod faces the longest ban, running until November 10, 2030, according to CHEK News.
Players Acquitted in Court but Still Banned by Hockey Canada
All five players were acquitted of sexual assault charges in a London, Ontario trial last year. The criminal case stemmed from an alleged incident involving the 2018 World Junior team. Despite the acquittals, Hockey Canada pursued its own conduct process separately from the courts.
The appeal panel — made up of John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen — ruled that the players violated Hockey Canada's code of conduct. Discover Airdrie noted that Hockey Canada confirmed the breaches applied to all five men, even as Formenton's case was resolved with immediate reinstatement.
NHL Careers Unaffected Despite Long Hockey Canada Bans
Hockey Canada made clear that these suspensions do not affect NHL eligibility. The four suspended players all have active NHL ties. Hart plays for the Philadelphia Flyers. McLeod and Foote are with the New Jersey Devils. Dubé is on the Calgary Flames roster, according to CHEK News.
Formenton, who previously played for the Ottawa Senators, had been playing overseas. His immediate reinstatement means he can now pursue Hockey Canada programs again. The other four players had their NHL suspensions lifted earlier, allowing them to return to their respective teams before this ruling.
Foote's Swedish Club Contract Collapsed Amid Public Backlash
Cal Foote's situation drew extra attention this summer. He briefly signed with a Swedish club, but the contract was pulled just days later. Fan and stakeholder backlash drove the reversal, showing the real-world impact the scandal continues to have on the players' careers outside the NHL.
Hockey Canada Tightens National Team Screening Going Forward
Hockey Canada said the independent investigation found no evidence that any other player on the 2018 National Junior Team breached the code of conduct. That means all other players from that team are immediately eligible for Hockey Canada programs, according to Radio-Canada.
Going forward, Hockey Canada said eligibility for national teams will involve enhanced screening and third-party review. The organization has faced heavy criticism for how it handled the original case. These new steps are meant to show the public that the process is independent and accountable.
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