Former World Junior Hockey players face sex assault charges

A group of former World Junior Hockey players who sexually assaulted a young women in Ontario, Canada in 2018, are asked to turn themselves into police to face formal charges

In June 2018, five players from the World Junior Hockey team allegedly sexually assaulted a young woman in London, Ontario, Canada. Hockey Canada, the self governing body that oversees World Junior Hockey has faced backlash regarding it’s handling of the assault, which goes back six years.

The scandal has sent shockwaves through organized professional and amateur sports organizations across the country, with many people pushing for change. Major companies such as Nike, Tim Hortons, Canadian Tire, Scotiabank and Esso pulled their sponorship out of Hockey Canada due to severe public backlash. Eventually the entire board of directors and leadership resigned, but only after months of pressure. 

The five players are Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames and former National Hockey League (NHL) player Alex Formenton, who is now playing in Europe. At the time of the incident, the accused players would have been between the ages of 18 and 19. They have been asked to turn themselves in to the London Police Service. While it is deemed highly unlikely, in the event that one or more of these individuals fail to surrender voluntarily, a warrant for their arrest will be issued.

The NHL opened its own investigation back in 2022, promising to make their findings public.

 Source: Newsroom