On Thursday, it was announced that the five players acquitted in the 2018 London sexual assault trial are suspended until December 1st. Both the NHL and the NHLPA agreed to the deal.
Acquitted Players Suspended
Source: The NHL will permit Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton to resume playing Dec. 1, following their acquittal on sexual assault charges. https://t.co/RTQxWm6EDYhttps://t.co/RTQxWm6EDY
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) September 11, 2025
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote were acquitted of sexual assault charges last month. The players had been accused of the assault during the 2018 World Juniors.
Details of the Suspension
Following their acquittal, the NHL announced they would investigating the findings of the case. This would determine when and if the players would be allowed to return to the NHL.
The players are indeed being allowed back into the league once their suspension is over. The players can sign with a team starting on October 15th. If a player signs with a team, they can start conditioning on November 1st. Once December 1st comes, the players will be able to play in a game.
NHLPA’s Statement
The NHLPA issued a statement on Thursday afternoon in the wake of the news. The matter is deemed as closed, with focus now going towards the futures of the players.
NHLPA statement on Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod: pic.twitter.com/XFZopyfrAs
— NHLPA (@NHLPA) September 11, 2025
Main Photo: Nick Wosika- Imagn Images
