NHL’s Dube, Hart and McLeod charged over 2018 sexual assault allegations
NHL players Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod of the New Jersey Devils and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames have been charged in connection with an investigation into an alleged sexual assault by several members of Canada’s 2018 junior world team.
Lawyers representing Hart, McLeod and Dube said Tuesday that each player has been charged with sexual assault by police in London, Ontario. They denied any wrongdoing on behalf of their clients.
Hart’s attorneys, Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani, said their client faces one count of sexual assault. They added that “he is innocent and will provide a full answer to this false accusation in the proper forum, a court of law.”
Legal teams representing McLeod and Dube said they will plead not guilty.
“(We) will vigorously defend the case,” McLeod’s attorneys David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein said in a statement. “We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod’s privacy and the privacy of his family. As the matter is now before the courts, we will not be commenting further at this time.”
Dube’s attorneys, Louis Strezos and Kayleigh Davidson, said he “maintains his innocence (and) will defend the allegations in court.”
Messages sent to the Flyers, Devils and Flames seeking comment were not immediately returned.
The latest developments come two days after former NHL player Alex Formenton surrendered to police and was charged. Defense attorney Daniel Brown said Formenton is innocent “and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all the evidence.” e.
London police have scheduled a press conference on Monday to discuss the situation. A police spokesperson told the Associated Press by email that no updates on the investigation would be provided before the news conference.
London police launched their investigation in 2022 after it emerged that Hockey Canada had settled a lawsuit with a woman who said she was sexually assaulted by eight members of that gold medal-winning team at a gala. London is located about halfway between Toronto and Detroit.
The NHL opened its own investigation in 2022 and has promised to make these findings public. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said last week that the league would issue a statement if and when appropriate.
The Flyers said Hart requested and was granted a leave of absence for personal reasons. General manager Daniel Briere declined to provide details when asked follow-up questions about the 25-year-old goalkeeper’s departure.
“We will respond appropriately when the findings of the investigation are made public,” Briere said.
The Devils did not provide a reason when they announced that McLeod and Foote were being placed on indefinite leave. McLeod, who turns 26 on Saturday, is in the middle of his fourth full season with the team.
The Flames said Dube was on indefinite leave to care for his mental health. The 25-year-old has been playing in the NHL for Calgary since 2018.