– The Apology –
On Monday, February 5, 2024, the London Police apologized to the alleged victim in a sexual assault case against five members of Canada’s 2018 Canadian World Junior team.[1] After describing the sexual assault charges against Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers), Michael McLeod (New Jersey Devils), Cal Foote (Devils), Dillon Dubé (Calgary Flames), and Nick Formenton (formerly of the Ottawa Senators), police chief Thai Truong apologized “for the amount of time it has taken to reach this point.”[2]
– Background –
Truong is correct that this process has been enduring. The alleged incident occurred in June of 2018 and was made public in May of 2022. Since 2018, the London Police, Hockey Canada, and National Hockey League (NHL) have each conducted independent investigations.[3] Despite these investigations, there has been an apparent desire to make the matter go away.
For example, the current police investigation and subsequent charges only arose after the initial investigation was re-opened in 2022 in a response to public pressure.[4] The initial investigation concluded without charges in February of 2019.[5]
In April of 2022, a complaint filed by woman referred to as “E.M.” alleged that she was sexually assaulted by eight hockey players following a 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation event in London, Ont.[6] The alleged victim sued the players, Hockey Canada, and the Canadian Hockey League (CHL).[7] Among those accused were members of Hockey Canada and the CHL, including members of the U20 gold-medal winning World Junior team.[8]
Hockey Canada quickly settled the lawsuit (where E.M. requested an estimated $3.55 million), but has since been condemned after the settlement was made public in May of 2022.[9]
The situation came to a head and in June of 2022, Hockey Canada officials testified about the investigation in front of the Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage.[10] It was revealed that Hockey Canada did not know the identities of the eight men involved in the alleged assault and that players from the 2018 World Junior team were not required to participate in the investigation.[11] Only nine out of nineteen players from the 2018 Canadian World Junior team participated in the initial investigation.[12]
It was also discovered that Hockey Canada used a fund consisting of youth players’ registration fees to pay out sexual assault case settlements dating back decades.[13] When the use of this fund was criticized, it was revealed that Hockey Canada had not one, but three, funds for such purpose.[14]
Under pressure, Hockey Canada re-opened its investigation into the alleged incident in July of 2022.[15] Around this time, the organization was bleeding sponsors. Sponsors including Canadian Tire, Scotiabank, Telus, Tim Hortons, BDO Canada, Swiss Chalet, and The Keg withdrew or suspended support of Hockey Canada.[16] Nike also paused its support of the organization and officially ended its twenty-plus year relationship with Hockey Canada in 2023.[17]
– Role of the NHL –
Upon learning of the settlement in 2022, the NHL announced its own investigation and indicated it was not previously aware of the lawsuit.[18] Their investigation took about twelve months to complete, but the League has yet to announce any findings.[19] According to Commissioner Gary Bettman, the NHL (and NHLPA) will wait to respond to the matter until the judicial process has concluded.[20] The NHL’s findings could shed light on the situation, but it is understandable that they want to defer to the London Police and the Canadian legal process.
– Winning Together, Losing Together –
Hockey Canada’s mishandling of the situation cost it many of its partnerships and resulted in an overhaul of its leadership.[21] Similarly, Canada’s 2018 National Junior Team may be realizing that careless actions can have far-reaching, and enduring, consequences. In March of 2023, nearly five-years after the alleged incident, the entire 2018 World Junior team was deemed ineligible for the 2023 IIHF Canadian World Championship team. [22] Hockey Canada determined that no players from the 2018 team will be considered for participation for Team Canada until the investigation and adjudicative process are complete.[23]
If a timely resolution is not reached, Hockey Canada’s decision could have serious repercussions for Canada’s 2026 Olympic roster – especially since it would eliminate the likes of big talents such as Cale Makar (Colorado Avalanche). The only recourse for ineligible, but uninvolved, members may be to appeal Hockey Canada’s decision.
This situation highlights the ways in which the (alleged) poor decisions of a few people, on one night, can wreak havoc on so many others. If the allegations are proven as true, the alleged victim has undoubtedly suffered at the hand of her assailants. The uninvolved teammates of the accused have also been subject to public scrutiny and have had their careers jeopardized. It is likely that the family and friends of all involved have also been faced with the fallout of this situation.
Perhaps this years-long incident, and its effects, will change Hockey Canada for the better. Many commentators have noted that the incident is reflective of deeply rooted issues in the sport, as well as other sports and their institutions. Perhaps this may be a learning experience for all involved.
In the meantime, all four NHL players (Hart, McLeod, Foote, and Dubé) have taken leaves of absence from their teams. [24] Formenton is also on a leave from his team in Switzerland.[25] It is unclear whether additional players will be charged.[26]
Image Credit: The Athletic
[1] https://theathletic.com/5249156/2024/02/05/hockey-canada-london-police-conference-world-juniors/?access_token=14384755
[2] Id.
[3] https://theathletic.com/3437209/2023/07/17/hockey-canada-lawsuit-investigation-timeline/.
[4] Id.
[5] Id.
[6] https://theathletic.com/3437209/2023/07/17/hockey-canada-lawsuit-investigation-timeline/.
[7] Id; https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada-chl-settle-lawsuit-over-alleged-sexual-assault-involving-world-junior-players-1.1804861.
[8] Id.
[9] https://theathletic.com/3437209/2023/07/17/hockey-canada-lawsuit-investigation-timeline/; https://theathletic.com/5249156/2024/02/05/hockey-canada-london-police-conference-world-juniors/?access_token=14384755; https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada-chl-settle-lawsuit-over-alleged-sexual-assault-involving-world-junior-players-1.1804861.
[10] https://theathletic.com/3437209/2023/07/17/hockey-canada-lawsuit-investigation-timeline/
[11] Id.
[12] Id.
[13] Id.
[14] Id.
[15] Id.
[16] Id.
[17] Id.
[18] https://theathletic.com/5246891/2024/02/02/gary-bettman-press-conference-hockey-canada/.
[19] Id.
[20] https://theathletic.com/5249156/2024/02/05/hockey-canada-london-police-conference-world-juniors/?access_token=14384755; https://theathletic.com/5239319/2024/01/30/hart-mcleod-dube-foote-london-police-charges-hockey-canada/.
[21] https://theathletic.com/3437209/2023/07/17/hockey-canada-lawsuit-investigation-timeline/
[22] Id.
[23] https://theathletic.com/5249156/2024/02/05/hockey-canada-london-police-conference-world-juniors/?access_token=14384755.
[24] Id.
[25] Id.
[26] Id.