London, Ont. panel confirms 2018 junior players breached Hockey Canada code of conduct

By Liam Tremblay — 12 August 2026 — 3 min read

Code of Conduct Violations Confirmed

An independent appeal panel has confirmed that five professional hockey players, who were acquitted of sexual assault last year, breached Hockey Canada‘s code of conduct. The finding stems from an incident in a London, Ont. hotel room in 2018. This decision was made public by Hockey Canada on Wednesday, following a previous finding in 2023 that had remained confidential until the appeal process concluded.

The players involved are Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote. All five had pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges, and were acquitted last summer by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia.

The independent appeal board, composed of retired Justices John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen, upheld the finding of a code of conduct violation. While the specific rulings and reasoning were not released, Hockey Canada stated that its investigative and adjudicative processes are confidential.

Suspensions and Reinstatements

The appeal panel recommended varying lengths of suspensions for four of the players, while suggesting immediate reinstatement for one. Hockey Canada has accepted these recommendations.

• Alex Formenton: reinstated immediately.
• Cal Foote: suspended until November 10, 2026.
• Carter Hart: suspended until November 10, 2027.
• Dillon Dubé: suspended until November 10, 2028.
• Michael McLeod: suspended until November 10, 2030.

These suspensions mean the players are barred from participating in all Hockey Canada activities and programs, including international competitions like the Olympics or coaching a team. However, some players have already been reinstated to play in the NHL, with Hart and Dubé currently active in the league.

Formenton‘s lawyer, Daniel Brown, commented that his client is looking forward to rebuilding his life after living under the shadow of the accusations and their impact on his career and reputation.

Investigation and Context

The initial investigation by Hockey Canada began in June 2018 after an allegation of sexual assault involving members of the 2018 Canadian world junior championship team. The probe was initially put on hold when the complainant, identified as E.M., declined to participate. It was later revived in 2022 following public outcry after a report on the settlement of E.M.‘s lawsuit alleging sexual assault.

The players were criminally charged in 2024. Justice Maria Carroccia concluded that E.M. consented to the sexual activity and was not a credible or reliable witness, leading to the acquittals.

Hockey Canada emphasized its commitment to being a leader in delivering a sport rooted in safety, inclusiveness, and respect. The organization has implemented significant actions since 2022 to transform the culture and safety of hockey, focusing on education, training, sport integrity, and governance.

Other players from the 2018 National Junior Team who were not found to have breached the code of conduct are now eligible for consideration to participate in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs. However, any player considered for a national team will undergo an enhanced screening process, including a third-party review of findings related to the 2018 National Junior Team, before being eligible to represent Canada internationally.

The independent appeal board’s decision brings this matter to a close, with Hockey Canada thanking all involved for their commitment to maintaining the integrity of the processes.

Source: thestar.com