The landscape of Canadian hockey has been shaken by a significant scandal, casting a shadow over the sport and its players. This turmoil has led to four players on NHL rosters being denied new contracts by their respective teams following implications in serious allegations.
This drastic decision follows charges filed earlier this year and ongoing investigations into a lawsuit alleging sexual assault by several members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team. In February, authorities in London, Ontario, filed charges against five players connected to these alarming allegations.
Players on Leave Amid Allegations
The players involved took a leave of absence from their teams as the scandal brewed. High-profile NHL players impacted include Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote from the New Jersey Devils, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames. These players have not received qualifying offers, making them free agents and casting uncertainty over their professional futures.
The scandal traces back to a lawsuit filed in 2022 by a woman who alleged that she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the Canadian junior hockey team after a fundraising gala in London in 2018. Hockey Canada eventually settled this lawsuit, which led to further investigations into the matter.
Hockey Canada and Secret Funds
This scandal highlighted that Hockey Canada had reportedly maintained two secret funds to resolve claims related to sexual assault and abuse. The alleged incident occurred on June 19, 2018, at the Delta Hotel London Armouries. According to the lawsuit, a woman, then 20 years old, claimed she was taken to a hotel room by a player referred to as "John Doe #1," where seven other men were invited to perform undisclosed sexual acts. She stated she was intimidated and prevented from leaving.
The men reportedly directed her to take a shower and coerced her to state on video that she was sober. The London Police were alerted about the incident later on June 19, 2018, by a relative of the victim, initiating an investigation that was closed in 2019 without resulting in any charges. However, the lawsuit's filing in 2022 led to the reopening of the investigation and subsequent charges against five team members.
NHL's Response
Among those charged is Alex Formenton, formerly an NHL player, now with the Swiss club HC Ambri-Piotta. With the charges looming, the NHL launched its investigation into the matter in 2022. The league placed the implicated players on paid leave until the end of the month, and their current release into free agency leaves them in limbo as they await the outcomes of the legal proceedings.
Detective Sgt. Katherine Dann from the London Police commented on the charges filed: "for all the charges we have reasonable grounds for."
The scandal has sent shockwaves through Canadian hockey, underscoring the urgent need for organizational introspection and reform. The actions taken over the past year reflect a broader movement within the sport to address and rectify issues of abuse and misconduct.
As investigations continue and the legal process unfolds, the future of the players involved remains uncertain. What is clear, however, is the increased scrutiny and pressure on hockey organizations to uphold higher standards of conduct and accountability.
The repercussions of this scandal have undoubtedly had a significant impact, underscoring the importance of vigilance and integrity within the realm of professional sports.