Commonwealth _ Canadian authorities have issued an apology for the delay in pressing charges against five ice hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman in 2018. Last week, police in London, Ontario, charged four current National Hockey League (NHL) players and one former player after a review of the case uncovered new evidence that was previously unavailable. All five individuals have denied any wrongdoing and intend to plead not guilty. The accused were members of Canada’s World Junior hockey team at the time of the alleged assault. During a press conference on Monday, Police Chief Thai Troung expressed his sincerest apologies to the victim and her family for the lengthy duration it took to bring charges against the accused. He acknowledged his dissatisfaction with the situation, emphasizing the importance of reaching this point sooner.
The initial investigation into the alleged assault was closed in 2019 without any charges being filed. However, public scrutiny prompted the reopening of the case three years later, leading to the recent charges. Sergeant Katherine Dann, who spearheaded the case review, admitted that there were additional investigative steps that could have been taken earlier to advance the case. On Monday, lawyers representing the players made their first court appearance on behalf of their clients in a London court. None of the accused players were present during the proceedings. Prosecutors requested a publication ban on the identities of the victim and two witnesses involved in the case.
All five players are facing one count of sexual assault, with player Mike McLeod also being charged as a party to the offense. The NHL players involved are Mike McLeod and Cal Foote from the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart from the Philadelphia Flyers, and Dillon Dubé from the Calgary Flames. The fifth individual is former NHL player Alex Formenton, who played for the Swiss hockey club Ambri-Piotta before his arrest. The players have been on leave from their respective teams pending the outcome of the trial. When asked about the possibility of laying charges against more players, Sergeant Dann confirmed that charges were filed against all parties for whom there were reasonable grounds. In 2022, the woman at the center of the case filed a lawsuit against Hockey Canada, alleging that she had been assaulted by eight players in a hotel room in July 2018. The lawsuit came to light after it was revealed that Hockey Canada had reached a settlement with the woman, sparking national outrage and leading to the organization losing federal funding and sponsorship deals.
Regarding the delay in pressing charges and the initial investigation’s shortcomings, Chief Troung declined to provide specific details, citing potential repercussions on the ongoing investigation. The NHL conducted its own investigation, the results of which Commissioner Gary Bettman stated would not be disclosed due to the legal proceedings. During the NHL All-Star weekend in Toronto, Commissioner Bettman took the opportunity to address the situation surrounding the accused players. He highlighted that, due to their impending free agency at the end of the current season, they would no longer be affiliated with their teams during the trial proceedings. In his remarks, Commissioner Bettman strongly condemned the allegations, labeling them as abhorrent and entirely inconsistent with the sport’s core values of inclusivity, welcome, and safety. Looking ahead, the next court appearance for the accused players is set for April 30. It’s important to note that under Canadian law, a sexual assault conviction carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison. The legal process will continue to unfold, and the outcome of the trial will determine the fate of the accused individuals.
