Ottawa Senators' Alex Formenton during an NHL hockey game in Philadelphia, Friday, April 29, 2022; New Jersey Devils defenceman Cal Foote before an NHL hockey game in Newark, N.J., Friday, Oct. 27, 2023; New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod during an NHL hockey game in Philadelphia, Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023; Calgary Flames centre Dillon Dube during an NHL hockey game in Detroit, Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023 and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart during an NHL hockey game in Uniondale, N.Y., Saturday, April 3, 2021. The five players from Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team are facing sexual assault charges. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt Slocum, Noah K. Murray, Matt Slocum, Paul Sancya, Corey Sipkin
TORONTO – Hockey Canada says all members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team will remain suspended until its investigation into a sexual assault allegation involving members of that team is complete.
The governing body said in a release that findings of its investigation remain under an ongoing appeal process.
Police in London, Ont., held a press conference Monday to update their investigation into the allegations which have resulted in charges of sexual assault against five members of the 2018 junior team: Billon Dube, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod.
Hockey Canada, in its first comments since charges were recently confirmed by the players’ legal representatives, said it will not comment further out of respect for the appeal and the legal process.
Members of the team have been suspended from Hockey Canada activities since March 27, 2023.
The charges relate to an alleged incident at a hotel in London in June 2018, after members of the world junior team celebrated their gold medal from that year’s junior championship.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2024.
