An appeals panel ruled that five players from Hockey Canada's 2018 world junior championships team breached the organization's code of conduct in a case that led to a sexual assault trial in which all were acquitted.
The panel continued suspensions for four of the five players, and announced the dates when they will again be eligible to represent Canada in international play.
Alex Formenton is eligible to return immediately. Here are the return dates for the other four players:
- Cal Foote: suspended until Nov. 10, 2026
- Carter Hart: suspended until Nov. 10, 2027
- Dillon Dubé: suspended until Nov. 10, 2028
- Michael McLeod: suspended until Nov. 10, 2030
Each player was charged in 2024 with one count of sexual assault stemming from an alleged incident that police said happened in a London, Ontario, hotel room while the team was in town in June 2018 for a Hockey Canada gala celebrating the team's gold medal. McLeod also was charged with being
a party to the offense.
After their 2025 trial, Justice Maria Carroccia ruled she couldn't rely on the evidence of the female accuser and that prosecutors hadn't proved their case. She found all of the players not guilty.
The NHL eventually ruled that the players were eligible to return to the league. Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights for two years and led them to the 2026 Stanley Cup Final.
Dube signed with the St. Louis Blues this offseason after playing for their American Hockey League affiliate last season..
Foote, who played in the AHL last season, signed this summer with a Swedish team, which rescinded the contract several days later after backlash.
Formenton and McLeod are playing overseas.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Suspensions extended for four players acquitted in Hockey Canada trial
