Amid an investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving members of Canada’s 2018 gold medal-winning junior staff, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, New Jersey Devils ahead Michael McLeod, Devils defenseman Cal Foote, Calgary Flames ahead Dillon Dube and former Ottawa Senators draft decide Alex Formenton have all been charged with sexual assault.
On Monday, the London Police Service introduced in a press convention that McLeod has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, whereas Hart, Foote, Dube and Formenton are all being charged with one rely of sexual assault.
All 5 gamers had their first courtroom look Monday.
London Police Service Chief Thai Truong described the case as a “prolonged and sophisticated course of,” and said that Monday’s fees function a “vital step” within the case.
Attorneys representing Hart, McLeod, Foote and Dube introduced final week that every participant had been charged with sexual assault by London, Ontario police. On behalf of their purchasers, they’ve denied the gamers dedicated such a criminal offense.
“He’s harmless and can present a full response to this false accusation within the correct discussion board, a courtroom of legislation,” Hart’s attorneys, Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani, said in a statement.
Authorized illustration for McLeod and Dube additionally said their purchasers could be pleading not responsible to their respective fees.
“[We] will vigorously defend the case,” McLeod’s attorneys, David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein, said in a statement. “We ask that the general public respect Mr. McLeod’s privateness, and his household’s privateness. As a result of the matter is now earlier than the courtroom, we is not going to remark additional right now.”
Dube’s attorneys, Louis Strezos and Kayleigh Davidson, stated that their shopper “maintains his innocence [and] will defend the allegations in courtroom.”
“Now we have now turn into conscious of the cost of sexual assault that has been laid in opposition to Dillon Dube,” the Flames mentioned in a press release after the cost was made public. “We take this matter very severely. As a result of the matter is now pending authorized proceedings, we could have no additional remark right now.”
As well as, Foote’s lawyer, Julianna Greenspan, stated that Foote is “harmless of the cost and can defend himself in opposition to this allegation to clear his identify.”
Formenton’s legal professional, Daniel Brown, said that his shopper is harmless, and he “asks that individuals not rush to judgment with out listening to the entire proof.”
Earlier than the fees have been made public, all 5 gamers took a go away of absence from their respective groups.
London, Ontario police started an investigation again in 2022 after it was revealed that Hockey Canada settled a lawsuit with a girl who alleged she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior staff following a Hockey Canada Basis gala.
Per courtroom paperwork, the sufferer, who was 20 years outdated on the time, alleged {that a} man, “John Doe #1,” took her again to a lodge room, and invited seven different people in that lodge room to have interaction in sexual acts. The girl said within the lawsuit that the lads requested her to take a bathe and say that she was sober in a recorded message.
Because of this, the lady sought $3.55 million in damages and ended up settling with Hockey Canada.
The NHL launched its personal investigation in 2022 and said it will make the outcomes public. NHL deputy commissioner Invoice Daly mentioned that the league would launch a press release as soon as it was acceptable.
The Flyers and Devils each granted go away of absences to their gamers in late January and did not give a cause as to why these have been being awarded. Nevertheless, the Flames launched a press release saying Dube was taking a go away of absence to take care of his psychological well being.
