Five Acquitted Former Hockey Canada Players Remain NHL Ineligible Pending Review

Five Canadian hockey players—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—were acquitted of sexual assault charges by Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia, but the NHL has declared them ineligible to play while it reviews the judge’s findings. The NHL described the allegations as very disturbing and called the behavior unacceptable, emphasizing that the court’s ruling does not automatically reinstate the players. In contrast, the NHL Players’ Association (NHLPA) argues that the players should be allowed to return to their careers immediately, stating that the NHL’s decision to declare them ineligible violates the collective bargaining agreement’s discipline procedures. The acquitted players had been suspended since January 2024, following their arrests in connection with a 2018 alleged sexual assault incident. The dispute between the NHL and NHLPA highlights tensions over player rights, league accountability, and the handling of sensitive cases, with the future of the players' careers uncertain as the league continues its internal review. Both sides remain firm in their positions, with the NHLPA addressing the issue with the league but offering no further comment for now.