By Canadian Press

NHL won’t consider punishment for 2018 WJC players until after legal proceedings

Feb 2, 2024 | 1:03 PM

TORONTO — NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says the league will not consider any punishment against five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior team charged in connection with an alleged gang rape until the conclusion of judicial proceedings.

A court document shows Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and former NHL player Alex Formenton are each charged with one count of sexual assault in connection with an incident that occurred after a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., in June 2018. 

The case is set to be before a court on Monday. 

Speaking ahead of the NHL all-star skills competition, deputy commissioner Bill Daly added the league will not release the finding of its own investigation while charges are pending.

The court document shows McLeod is also facing an additional charge of sexual assault for “being a party to the offence.” It says the charges relate to an alleged sexual assault on a person identified only as E.M. on June 19, 2018. 

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All five players have been given indefinite leaves of absence from their teams.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 2, 2024.

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press