But the NHL hasn't yet determined whether they will be eligible to play again.
Jul 24, 2025
Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia has acquitted all five players involved in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial.
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote had all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in an encounter that took place in a London, Ont., hotel room in the early hours of June 19, 2018.
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Some of the complainant’s testimony was proven to be wrong by video evidence, the judge says.
For example, E.M. testified that she felt isolated at the bar, that she tried to sneak away but was followed, the judge said. But video shows she had an extended conversation with a bouncer while there, whom she said was a friend.
E.M. also said she was completely out of it when she arrived at the hotel, the judge recounted. However, she added, video showed E.M. exiting the cab, checking her phone, and walking up the stairs without difficulty.
E.M. had said repeatedly that she was unusually drunk the night of the alleged assault. However, the judge said, there was “no obvious signs of impairment” displayed in video evidence from Jack’s Bar.
The judge said, in her view, E.M. exaggerated how intoxicated she was that night.
In her third ruling today, Justice Maria Carroccia says Callan Foote is not guilty of sexual assault.
He was accused of grazing the complainant’s face with his genitals as he did the splits over her in the hotel room, but his lawyers said he was fully clothed and did not touch the woman’s body.
The judge says the splits were separate from sexual activity that took place that night and she is not satisfied that they were sexual in nature.
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