Tough Times Ahead For Hockey Canada and The 5 Accused Players

By Greg Buchanan

The five players from Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team facing sexual assault charges also have the potential to encounter further sanctions regardless of the outcome of their case. Richard McLaren, an Ontario lawyer who authored a report into Russia's sports doping at the Olympics, said players could be banned from playing in the NHL due to violating their team's and the league's code of conduct. Lawyers for all five players: Alex Formenton, playing in Switzerland, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, New Jersey forward Michael McLeod and Devils defenceman Cal Foote say their clients intend to plead not guilty. Formenton, a former Ottawa Senator, surrendered to police in London, Ont., on Sunday. The five players have also been allowed indefinite leave from their pro clubs.

The NHL has conducted its own investigation into the sexual assault allegations, which have not been proven in court. McLaren says that even if the players are acquitted in a criminal court, the code of conduct agreement laid out by the players' union and pro clubs means they could be banned from playing in the NHL in the future.

That can also mean that a player whose contract expires by season's end may not get signed by another team while there isn't a verdict or resolution. Dube, Hart, McLeod and Foote are all free agents following 2023-24. Tom Mayenknecht, a principal in Emblematical Brand Builders and a former sports executive, said the players' behaviour and attitude during the court case could have a bearing on any possible future.

There are examples of athletes from individual and team sports who have made some horrible errors in judgment and (committed) horrible acts and are not only charged but proven to have done so. They've found ways to get back to a situation where they can operate moving forward, and people have forgiven them; NHL teams have directed inquiries about the players involved in the case to the league. The league did not return a request for comment when asked about its role in handling inquiries for teams. In my opinion, what gets lost in these situations is the victim and the long road to recovery she will face. We need to ask ourselves, "Does it really matter that the people charged in this incident are hockey players? The answer is no."