An independent appeal board has ruled that five players from Canada's 2018 World Junior Championship team violated Hockey Canada's code of conduct. The players — Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and another unnamed individual — were previously acquitted of sexual assault charges in 2023.
Hockey Canada has accepted the board's recommendation to maintain their suspensions and set reinstatement dates. The decision follows a review of the players' conduct, which included alleged breaches of the organization's behavioral standards.
The case highlights ongoing scrutiny of conduct by junior hockey players, even after legal outcomes in criminal courts. Hockey Canada emphasized that its disciplinary process remains separate from legal proceedings.
The suspensions are set to last until specific dates yet to be confirmed, pending further review. The organization has not disclosed further details about the nature of the conduct violations.
