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Hockey Canada has extended international suspensions for three players tied to the 2018 world junior sexual assault case. The organization also reinstated another player following an independent appeal process. Michael McLeod received the longest extension among the players. Hockey Canada will keep McLeod suspended from representing Canada through Nov. 10, 2030. Dillon Dube will remain suspended through Nov. 10, 2028. Meanwhile, Carter Hart’s suspension will continue through Nov. 10, 2027. Cal Foote faces a different outcome. His suspension will expire this November. Alex Formenton, meanwhile, has already regained eligibility to represent Canada. The decisions came after an independent appeal board found that the players violated Hockey Canada’s code of conduct. The ruling adds another chapter to a case that has followed Canadian hockey for years.
Hockey Canada Takes Action After Appeal
The five players faced allegations connected to an incident involving members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team. All five players were eventually acquitted of sexual assault charges. However, Hockey Canada’s disciplinary process continued after the criminal proceedings. The organization uses its own code of conduct when reviewing player behavior. The independent appeal board’s findings allowed Hockey Canada to impose new international suspensions. As a result, the players face different timelines for potential national team returns. McLeod now faces the most significant restriction. His suspension runs until 2030, which keeps him out of Canada’s international program for several more years. Dube’s suspension lasts until 2028. Hart’s ban ends one year earlier in 2027. Foote could return this November, while Formenton already has reinstatement.
Players Have Returned to Professional Hockey
The suspensions from Hockey Canada do not prevent every player from pursuing professional hockey opportunities. Last year, the NHL allowed the players to sign contracts starting in October. The league also permitted them to return to games in December. That decision opened the door for several players to resume their NHL careers. Hart became the most prominent example. He signed with the Vegas Golden Knights last fall and returned to NHL action on Dec. 2. Hart eventually helped Vegas win the Stanley Cup. His return marked a major development for a player who had remained away from NHL action. Dube also returned to professional hockey. He signed with the St. Louis Blues in July, becoming the second of the five players to secure an NHL contract. Their NHL returns, however, remain separate from eligibility for Canada’s national team. Hockey Canada can impose international restrictions even when players compete professionally.
Other Players Face Different Paths
The five players now face very different professional situations. Formenton has continued playing in Switzerland. His reinstatement means he can potentially represent Canada again under Hockey Canada’s current decision. Foote’s international suspension will end in November. However, his professional future recently faced another setback. A Swedish team terminated an agreement with Foote late last month. The decision followed objections from fans surrounding his involvement in the case. McLeod currently plays under contract in the KHL. His agreement there runs for two more seasons, according to the Associated Press. That situation gives McLeod a professional option despite his lengthy international suspension.
The Case Continues to Affect Canadian Hockey
The latest decisions show how the 2018 case continues to affect Canadian hockey. The players have faced separate legal, professional and international consequences. The criminal case ended with acquittals for all five players. Still, Hockey Canada’s internal disciplinary process produced a different result. The appeal board’s decision now shapes each player’s future with Canada’s national team. Their timelines vary significantly depending on the length of each suspension. Formenton stands as the only player immediately reinstated.
Foote will regain eligibility later this year. Hart, Dube and McLeod must wait longer before they can represent Canada again. Meanwhile, their professional careers continue in different leagues and circumstances. Hockey Canada’s decision therefore creates another important dividing line. The players can pursue professional opportunities while facing restrictions from international competition. For Canadian hockey, the case remains a major and complicated issue. The latest suspensions ensure the controversy will continue shaping the national program for years.
Author Profile
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Bradley Walker (VP) and Head of our Florida operations for NGSC Sports, bringing extensive experience across collegiate, professional, and amateur athletics. His coverage spans USF Athletics, including football, baseball, lacrosse, and softball, as well as University of Tampa baseball.
Bradley also provides coverage of minor league baseball with the Clearwater Threshers and Major League Baseball with the Tampa Bay Rays. On the national stage, he covers college football bowl games and conference championship matchups, along with premier golf events across the PGA Tour, LIV Golf, and LPGA Tour.
In addition to his reporting work, Bradley is the play-by-play announcer for Pinellas Park High School Patriots football, lending his voice and insight to Friday night lights.
He is also an active podcast host and contributor, serving as a host on The Walker Report, where he delivers in-depth sports analysis, interviews, and coverage across multiple levels of competition.
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