In a shocking development, four NHL players have been charged with sexual assault in London, Ontario. The accused players include Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, and New Jersey Devils center Michael McLeod, as well as defenseman Cal Foote. All four players were members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championships team. Their respective legal teams have confirmed the charges and provided statements defending their innocence.
Speaking on behalf of Carter Hart, Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani from Savard Foy LLP in Toronto, expressed that their client “has been charged with one count of sexual assault” and firmly asserted his innocence. They reassured that Hart would provide a full response in a court of law to address this false allegation.
Similarly, McLeod’s lawyers, David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein of Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein LLP in Toronto, stated that their client “denies any criminal wrongdoing” and would plead not guilty. They emphasized the importance of a fair trial and mentioned that the evidence has not yet been presented or tested in court.
The legal representation for Cal Foote, Julianna Greenspan of Greenspan Partners LLP in Toronto, highlighted her client’s innocence and vowed to defend him against the allegations. She emphasized the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial that everyone is entitled to in Canada.
Lastly, Louis P. Strezos and Kaleigh Davidson, Dube’s legal representation, affirmed that their client would plead not guilty and maintain his innocence. They confirmed their dedication to defending the allegations in court.
Former NHL player Alex Formenton, who was playing professionally in Switzerland, turned himself in to the London Police on Sunday related to the same case. Although specific charges were not disclosed by Formenton’s lawyer, he asserted that his client would vigorously defend his innocence and requested that people refrain from rushing to judgment without considering all the evidence.
The London Police launched an investigation in 2022 after TSN reported that Hockey Canada had settled a lawsuit with a woman who claimed she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the 2018 World Junior Championship team. The alleged incident occurred during a gala celebrating the team’s gold medal win. The pending charges against the four NHL players have created a significant stir, leading them to take leaves of absence from their respective teams.
Currently, the four accused NHL players have been on paid leave. However, if charges are pressed, their statuses with their teams are likely to change. Potential consequences include suspension by their teams or by the NHL, contract termination, or being placed on a commissioner’s exempt list. It remains to be seen how the situation will unfold and what actions will be taken by the league and the teams involved.
Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere addressed the matter, stating that the team was aware of the serious charges and how they would respond appropriately once the outcomes of the investigations were made public. Briere further mentioned that the NHL had made it clear that teams should refer all investigation-related questions to them. He concluded by stating that members of the organization, including the players, would not be making further comments at this time.
While the NHL conducted its own investigation into the incident, the results were not made public. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly confirmed that the league would not be commenting on the matter at this time, leaving both fans and the general public awaiting further updates.
The sexual assault charges against these prominent NHL players have sent shockwaves through the hockey community. As the legal process unfolds, all parties involved deserve a fair trial to determine the truth. It is crucial to allow the Canadian justice system to investigate the allegations thoroughly and deliver a just resolution in due course.
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