Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and defenseman Cal Foote were charged with sexual assault Tuesday.
The charges stem from an incident in London, Ontario, that dates back to 2018, according to The Athletic. An unidentified woman alleged she was assaulted by several players in a London hotel room June 19, following a Hockey Canada Foundation event. Their respective lawyers issued separate statements on behalf of each player. Hart, Dube, McLeod and Foote have all pleaded not guilty to the charges issued against them, according to The Athletic.
WASHINGTON, DC – FEBRUARY 13: Alex Formenton #10 of the Ottawa Senators celebrates after scoring a goal against the Washington Capitals during the first period of the game at Capital One Arena on February 13, 2022, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
Another World Junior Hockey team player, Alex Formenton, was charged by London Police for the same crime, Sunday. All five players were instructed to surrender to police.
McLeod’s attorneys, David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein, said in a statement, “We can now confirm that more than five and a half years after EM’s initial complaint to police, the London Police Service has charged Mike McLeod with sexual assault,” according to The Athletic. They went on to note McLeod “will be pleading not guilty and will vigorously defend the case.”
TORONTO, ON – MAY 14: Cal Foote #52 of the Tampa Bay Lightning waits for a faceoff against the Toronto Maple Leafs during Game Seven of the First Round of the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena on May 14, 2022 in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. ( Photo by Claus Andersen/Getty images)
“None of the evidence has been presented, let alone tested in court,” they said.
Louis Stress issued a statement on behalf of Dube, noting that “he will plead not guilty and maintains his innocence.”
Megan Savard and Riaz Salani, acting on behalf of Hart, echoed the not-guilty pleas issued by the other hockey players.
ELMONT, NEW YORK – APRIL 08: Carter Hart #79 of the Philadelphia Flyers prepares to play against the New York Islanders at the UBS Arena on April 08, 2023 in Elmont, New York. The Islanders shut out the Flyers 4-0. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
“He is innocent and will provide a full response to this false allegation in the proper forum, a court of law,” they said, according to The Athletic.
Julianna Greenspan, representing Foote, said “Cal is innocent of the charge and will defend himself against this allegation to clear his name. What is most critical at this time is the presumption of innocence, and the right to a fair trial that everyone in Canada is entitled to.”
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – JANUARY 13: Dillon Dube #29 of the Calgary Flames skates with the puck against the Vegas Golden Knights in the first period of their game at T-Mobile Arena on January 13, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Flames defeated the Golden Knights 3-1. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Each of the attorneys requested privacy on behalf of their clients and refused to issue further comments.
The alleged victim filed litigation against Hockey Canada in 2022 and claimed to have been assaulted by eight players on the night in question, according to The Athletic.
Hockey Canada and the woman settled their lawsuit in May 2022.
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – MARCH 12: Brady Skjei #76 of the Carolina Hurricanes takes the puck as Michael McLeod #20 of the New Jersey Devils defends during the third period at Prudential Center on March 12, 2023 in Newark, New Jersey. The New Jersey Devils defeated the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)
London Police and Hockey Canada reopened the investigations after the lawsuit, at which time the NHL also launched its own, independent review. (RELATED: Multiple NHL Players Take Indefinite Leaves Of Absence With Looming Sexual Assault Scandal: REPORT)
NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and the NHLPA declined to comment at this time.