Editor’s Note: The following story deals with sexual assault, and may be distressing for some readers.
If you or someone you know is in need of support, those in Canada can find province-specific centres, crisis lines and services here. For readers in America, a list of resources and references for survivors and their loved ones can be found here.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman says “the most responsible and prudent thing for us to do is wait for the conclusion of judicial proceedings” before making a further comment on players in the 2018 World Junior sex assault case.
Bettman said he’d be “very surprised” if any of the players are playing before the case finishes.
Bettman was asked about the case at a news conference during NHL All-Star Weekend in Toronto on Friday.
The sexual assault case of five players from the 2018 team is set to be before a London, Ont., court on Monday.
A court document shows Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod are each charged with one count of sexual assault.
The document shows McLeod is also facing an additional charge of sexual assault for “being a party to the offence.”
It says the charges relate to an alleged sexual assault on a person identified only as E.M. on June 19, 2018.
Lawyers for each of the players have said their clients will defend themselves against the allegations. None of the allegations have been tested in court.
London police are expected to hold a news conference on their investigation into the case on Monday afternoon.
Dube (Calgary Flames), Hart (Philadelphia Flyers), McLeod (New Jersey Devils) and Foote (New Jersey) all play for NHL teams. Formenton, a former Ottawa Senators forward, has been playing in Switzerland.
The accused players have all been allowed to go on indefinite leave from their pro clubs.
The four NHL players are all restricted free agents after this season.
— With files from CP.
