On Tuesday, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote were charged with sexual assault.
According to a reporter for The Athletic, the charges stem from an incident in London, Ont., dating back to 2018. The unidentified woman claims she was assaulted by several players in a London hotel room on June 19 after a Hockey Canada Foundation event. Lawyers for each player issued separate statements on behalf of each player.Hart, Dube, McLeod, Foote have it all pleaded not guilty According to a reporter from The Athletic, to the charges against them.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 13: Ottawa Senators #10 Alex Formenton celebrates after scoring a goal during the first period of the game against the Washington Capitals on February 13, 2022 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Fellow World Junior Hockey Team player Alex Formenton was also charged by London police with the same offense on Sunday. All five players were instructed to surrender to police.
McLeod's lawyers, David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein, said in a statement: “More than five-and-a-half years after EM first filed a police complaint, London police are now investigating Mike McLeod for sex. I can confirm that I have been charged with assault.” Athletic. They went on to say that Mr McLeod “maintains his innocence and intends to vigorously defend himself.”
TORONTO, ON – MAY 14: No. 52 Cal of the Tampa Bay Lightning during Game 7 of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs First Round at Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario.・Canada awaits the Foote's showdown with the Toronto Maple Leafs. (Photo by Klaus Andersen/Getty Images)
“No evidence has been presented, let alone tested in court,” they said.
Luis Stress issued a statement on Dube's behalf, saying: “He maintains his innocence and maintains his innocence.”
Hart's attorneys, Megan Savard and Riaz Sarani, echoed the other hockey players' pleas of not guilty.
ELMONT, NY – APRIL 8: #79 Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers prepares for action against the New York Islanders on April 8, 2023 at UBS Arena in Elmont, NY. The Islanders shut out the Flyers 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
“He is innocent and will give a full response to these false allegations in the appropriate forum,” they said, according to The Athletic.
Foote's attorney, Julianna Greenspan, said in a statement: “Cal is innocent and intends to defend against these allegations to clear his name.” The most important thing at this time is the presumption of innocence and the right to a fair trial that everyone in Canada is entitled to. ”
LAS VEGAS, NV – JANUARY 13: Calgary skates with the puck during the first period of a game against the Vegas Golden Knights at T-Mobile Arena on January 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Dillon Dube #29 of the Flames. The Flames defeated the Golden Knights 3-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Each lawyer requested privacy on behalf of their clients and declined further comment.
According to The Athletic, the alleged victim filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada in 2022, claiming he was assaulted by eight players on the night in question.
Hockey Canada and the women settled the lawsuit in May 2022.
NEWARK, NJ – MARCH 12: No. 76 Brady Skee of the Carolina Hurricanes hits No. 20 Michael of the New Jersey Devils during the third period on March 12, 2023 at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Retrieves the puck while McLeod protects it. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. (Photo courtesy of Elsa/Getty Images)
London police and Hockey Canada reopened their investigations after the lawsuit, and at the same time the NHL launched its own independent investigation. (Related: Multiple NHL players put on indefinite leave amid looming sexual assault scandal: Report)
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and the NHLPA had no immediate comment.
