So, the dust has finally settled on one of the most polarizing legal battles in Canadian sports history. If you’ve been following the hockey canada trial cbc reports over the last few years, you know it hasn't just been about a game. It’s been about power, consent, and a massive culture shift in how we view our national pastime.
Honestly, the ending felt like a gut punch to some and a long-awaited vindication for others. On July 24, 2025, Justice Maria Carroccia walked into a London, Ontario, courtroom and delivered a bombshell. She found all five former World Junior players—Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote—not guilty of sexual assault.
Wait. Let’s back up a second.
The media frenzy was intense. You couldn't check your phone without seeing a courtroom sketch or a headline about the 2018 gala in London. But now that we’re in 2026, the conversation has shifted from "what happened in that hotel room?" to "what happens to the sport now?"
The Verdict That Shook the Country
The "not guilty" decision wasn't just a simple thumbs up or down. Justice Carroccia was pretty blunt. She didn't find the complainant, known as E.M., to be a "credible or reliable" witness. That’s a heavy thing for a judge to say in a case this high-profile. Basically, the Crown couldn't prove the lack of consent beyond a reasonable doubt.
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In Canadian law, "not guilty" doesn't necessarily mean "it didn't happen." It means the prosecution didn't meet that sky-high legal bar. For the players, it was a total acquittal. They walked out of that courthouse as free men, but their careers were already in a tailspin.
Where Are the Players Now?
You’ve probably wondered if these guys will ever lace up in the NHL again. It’s complicated. Kinda messy, actually.
The NHL initially played it safe. They kept the players ineligible while they did their own "internal review." But by late 2025, the league softened. They set a return date for December 1, 2025, though they made sure to say the players' conduct fell "woefully short" of the league's standards.
Here’s the breakdown of where they landed as of early 2026:
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- Carter Hart: The former Flyers goalie is the big name here. He’s seen as the one with the best shot at a true comeback. He’s been linked to the Vegas Golden Knights, where the need for elite goaltending is always a thing.
- Dillon Dubé: Just recently, the St. Louis Blues signed him to a professional tryout (PTO) with their AHL affiliate, the Springfield Thunderbirds. He spent some time in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk while waiting for the legal smoke to clear.
- Michael McLeod: He’s been playing over in the KHL (Russia). Despite the acquittal, the "party to an offence" charge he faced made him a tough sell for many North American GMs.
- Cal Foote: He found a spot with the Chicago Wolves in the AHL.
- Alex Formenton: Last we heard, he was still playing in Switzerland. Unlike the others, he wasn't on an NHL roster when the charges dropped in early 2024, which changed his contract status significantly.
The Slush Fund and the Fallout
If you think this was just about five guys in a hotel room, you're missing the bigger picture. The hockey canada trial cbc coverage really blew the lid off how Hockey Canada was operating.
Remember the "National Equity Fund"? That was the secret stash of cash—built partly from kids' registration fees—used to settle sexual assault claims quietly. When that came out in 2022, the country went nuclear. Sponsors like Nike and Tim Hortons bailed. The board was cleared out.
Even though the criminal trial ended in acquittals, the civil side was a different story. Hockey Canada had already settled with E.M. for $3.55 million back in 2022. That settlement is what started this whole domino effect. It’s why the London Police reopened the case after closing it in 2019.
Why the Trial Still Matters in 2026
Some people say, "the judge ruled, let’s move on." But it’s not that easy. The trial sparked a massive debate about what "reasonable steps" to obtain consent looks like.
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Under the Criminal Code, you can't just assume someone is okay with something because they didn't fight back. You have to take active steps to make sure they’re consenting. The defence argued the players did exactly that, pointing to videos filmed during the encounter where E.M. reportedly said she was "okay with this."
Advocates like Karen Bellehumeur, who represented E.M., argue that the trial process itself is broken. E.M. was on the stand for nine days. Nine days of being grilled about her weight, what she drank, and how she acted. Critics say this is why survivors don't come forward—the "trial by fire" is just too much to handle.
Actionable Insights for the Future
So, what does this mean for you, the fan, or the parent of a kid in minor hockey? The landscape has changed, even if the scoreboard shows an acquittal.
- Transparency is the new standard. Hockey Canada now has to report its financials and settlement history much more openly. If you're paying registration fees, you have a right to know where that money goes.
- Education has shifted. Most junior teams now have mandatory consent and "respect in sport" training that goes way beyond the old-school pamphlets.
- The "NHL standard" is changing. Even with the players being reinstated, the league’s statement about their behavior falling "woefully short" of values suggests that "not criminal" is no longer the same as "acceptable."
The hockey canada trial cbc wasn't just a legal proceeding; it was a mirror held up to Canadian culture. Whether you think justice was served or a survivor was failed, the sport will never look quite the same as it did before that 2018 gala.
To stay informed, keep an eye on the NHL’s disciplinary announcements and the ongoing updates from Hockey Canada’s new board regarding their "Beyond the Boards" initiative. This cultural shift is a marathon, not a sprint.