The future of five members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team who were acquitted of sexual assault charges is a hot topic as NHL training camps kick off. Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton will be eligible to sign on Oct. 15 and hit the ice on Dec. 1 as part of their reinstatement process. A judge in London, Ontario, cleared them of charges from an incident seven years ago, bringing them back into the hockey spotlight.
The Philadelphia Flyers announced they wouldn’t be bringing back Hart, while the Edmonton Oilers also stated they wouldn’t pursue the goaltender. Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brad Treliving, who drafted Dube in Calgary, mentioned that adding any of the acquitted players hasn’t been a priority for the team. Ottawa holds Formenton’s rights, even though he’s been playing in Switzerland since 2022. New Jersey Devils’ GM Tom Fitzgerald is expected to address the media after the team’s first camp practices regarding McLeod and Foote.
Reinstatement Process and Player Reactions
Not really sure why this matters, but the reinstatement process for the five acquitted players seems to be on track. It’s interesting to see how different teams are reacting to the situation. The Flyers and Oilers have made it clear they won’t be pursuing Hart, while the Maple Leafs are taking a cautious approach. Ottawa seems ready to move on from Formenton, who’s been playing overseas, while the Devils are set to discuss the future of McLeod and Foote. It’ll be intriguing to see how these players adjust to potentially returning to the NHL after such a long hiatus.
GM Statements and Team Strategies
Maybe it’s just me, but it seems like the GMs are being very careful with their words when discussing the acquitted players. Daniel Briere and Stan Bowman didn’t hold back in saying their teams wouldn’t be signing Hart, while Treliving emphasized the importance of being comfortable both on and off the ice. Staios and Fitzgerald are also navigating the situation delicately, with Ottawa looking to move forward and New Jersey likely facing tough decisions regarding McLeod and Foote. The reactions from these teams shed light on the complexities of dealing with off-ice issues in the hockey world. As training camps progress, it’ll be interesting to see how the situation unfolds for these players and the teams involved.
