The Ontario Superior Court ruled that prosecutors failed to meet the onus of proof in the sexual assault case against five members of the 2018 Team Canada World Juniors hockey team. The five players—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Callan Foote—had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which stemmed from an alleged incident in a London, Ontario hotel room on June 19, 2018.
The women, who were in London for a gala and golf tournament marking their World Juniors championship, were allegedly subjected to sexual assault in the hotel room after meeting the players at a bar. The complainant testified that she was naked, drunk, and scared when four of the men arrived at her hotel room, making the only ‘safe’ option to comply with their actions. The prosecution argued that the players acted without ensuring her voluntary consent. However, the defense challenged the credibility of the complainant’s testimony, suggesting she may have willingly participated in the sexual activity and that the events were consensual.
During the trial, two short videos of the complainant were played in court. In one of the videos, the woman stated that the encounter was ‘all consensual,’ though she later testified that this was not how she truly felt. The defense also questioned her testimony, highlighting inconsistencies and suggesting that her actions may have been a result of her own volition or desire for a ‘wild night.’ The judge ultimately ruled that the complainant’s testimony was not credible and that the prosecution had not met the standard required to secure a conviction.
The case has sparked significant discussion about the handling of sexual assault allegations, particularly in situations where the victim is intoxicated or in a vulnerable state. The acquittal has raised questions about accountability, consent, and the legal system’s approach to such cases. The NHL, which launched its own investigation in 2022, has not yet released its findings, leaving the league’s response to the incident and its implications for player conduct and team policies open to further scrutiny.