Warning: This text references allegations of sexual assault.
Three of the 5 former NHL gamers accused of sexual assault stemming again to after they have been members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey staff have been in a London, Ont., courtroom on Monday for the beginning of pretrial hearings.
Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod and Alex Formenton arrived forward of the proceedings, that are set to final three weeks and can permit attorneys and the decide to resolve which proof will likely be introduced to a jury. On Monday, it was determined that Superior Court docket Justice Maria Carroccia will preside over the trial.
The three gamers, alongside Carter Hart and Cal Foote, face one depend every of sexual assault involving a lady who says she was violated in a resort room in London following the gala celebrating Canada’s world junior hockey win.
Former NHL gamers Dubé, Cal Foote, McLeod, Carter Hart and Formenton, left to proper, have been charged earlier this yr. (USA In the present day Sports activities/Reuters; Getty Photographs; The Related Press; Getty Photographs; USA In the present day Sports activities/Reuters)
McLeod faces an extra cost of being occasion to the offence. All 5 gamers are anticipated to plead not responsible when the trial will get underway in April. Shortly after charges have been laid, the gamers opted for a jury trial.
A publication ban stopping the discharge of data is in place for the pretrail hearings; there’s additionally a publication ban on figuring out the alleged sufferer and two witnesses. Not one of the allegations have been confirmed in courtroom.
Dubé, third from left, is proven outdoors the London courtroom. He was with the Calgary Flames when the costs have been introduced earlier this yr. (Kate Dubinski/CBC)
The accused performed skilled hockey following the alleged assault. McLeod and Foote have been with the New Jersey Devils, Dubé was with the Calgary Flames and Hart was with the Philadelphia Flyers. Their NHL contracts expired in July. Formenton had been signed with the Ottawa Senators, however was taking part in in Switzerland on the time the costs have been introduced.
In August, two of the 5 gamers signed contracts to play within the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League (KHL).
Astana Barys, a staff based mostly in Kazakhstan, signed McLeod to a deal that expires on the finish of Could. The Belarus-based KHL staff Dinamo Minsk additionally has listed Dubé on its roster.
The police investigation into the gamers was initially closed with out charges in 2019 however reopened in 2022. London’s present police chief apologized to the complainant earlier this yr for the delay in laying charges.
A ladies alleges she was sexually assaulted at this resort in London by some members of Canada’s gold medal-winning junior staff. (Andrew Lupton/CBC)
The accusations have been made public in 2022 and despatched shockwaves by means of Canada’s hockey tradition and its governing physique, Hockey Canada. That reckoning resulted within the resignation of Hockey Canada’s total board of administrators and chief govt officer.
For anybody who has been sexually assaulted, assist is offered by means of disaster strains and native assist companies through this authorities of Canada web site or the Ending Violence Affiliation of Canada database. For those who’re in fast hazard or worry in your security or that of others round you, please name 911.
