D-Day for Ice Hockey Players in Sex Case

Verdict on high-profile assault trial which rocked sport in Canada will be out today

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TORONTO - A Canadian judge will deliver a verdict on July 24 in the trial of five professional ice hockey players on sexual assault charges, in a case that has rocked the cherished national sport.

The players stood trial over allegations they assaulted a woman in a hotel room following a June 2018 celebration for the national men's junior team.

Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart and Cal Foote have denied wrongdoing, insisting the accuser — whose identity is protected — consented to a variety of sex acts.

The complainant, 20 at the time, met McLeod at a bar in London, Ontario, before having sex with him.

That initial encounter is not at issue in the trial, which is about events that occurred after McLeod messaged a team-wide group chat asking if anyone was interested in a "three-way".

The players have confirmed participating in sex acts with the complainant and an initial police investigation produced no charges.

Media investigations then revealed Hockey Canada, the governing body, used funds from subscription fees paid by ordinary families for a C$3.55 million (S$3.3 million) out-of-court settlement with the woman in 2022.