Hockey Canada in the Government Crosshairs

[The Bread Guy]

Ontario's Crowns a bit underwhelmed this week ...

Crown attorneys' group accuses politicians, media of 'attacks' on justice system

OTTAWA - The president of the Ontario Crown Attorneys' Association says "attacks" launched by "politicians, media and members of the public" in response to two high-profile criminal cases amount to

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

.... with some excerpts below from this open letter touching on the complaints over the Hockey Canada court process:

Prosecutorial Independence and the Rule of Law - Ontario Crown Attorneys Association

Please find below an open letter from OCAA President, Donna Kellway, regarding recent attacks on prosecutorial independence and the rule of law: July 29, 2025 Prosecutorial Independence and the Rule...

www.ocaa.ca

Some recent Toronto Star opinion pieces on female lawyers representing males accused of sexual assault:

Heather Mallick: Why would female lawyers represent men in sexual crimes?

I don’t object to diversity hiring — it has let women, the disabled, and racialized people into workplace once reserved for white men — but you’d think the diverse would

www.thestar.com

As a female defence lawyer, I’m not betraying women when I represent clients accused of sexual crimes

In our criminal justice system, the presumption of innocence applies to everyone — no matter who they are or what they’ve been accused of.

www.thestar.com

Archived versions of the above here (Mallick piece) and here (lawyer's rebuttal piece) in case links above don't work for you.

P.S. -- Same letter touches on criticism of some Convoy mischief sentencing recommendations here.

 

[The Bread Guy]

And, back you go.

Players acquitted in Hockey Canada sex assault trial can return to NHL

NEW YORK - The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end "no sooner" than Dec. 1, the NHL

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

 

[Quirky]

And, back you go.

Players acquitted in Hockey Canada sex assault trial can return to NHL

NEW YORK - The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end "no sooner" than Dec. 1, the NHL

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

Edmonton is looking for a goalie…

 

[brihard]

The NHL remains, first and foremost, a business. Reputational risk will be in play for any decisions involving these players.

 

[The Bread Guy]

And, back you go.

Players acquitted in Hockey Canada sex assault trial can return to NHL

NEW YORK - The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end "no sooner" than Dec. 1, the NHL

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

Or elsewhere, for that matter ....

Michael McLeod signs with Russian hockey team after acquittal in sexual assault case

Michael McLeod, one of five members of Canada's 2018 junior team recently acquitted of sexual assault charges, has signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

 

[Altair]

Or elsewhere, for that matter ....

Michael McLeod signs with Russian hockey team after acquittal in sexual assault case

Michael McLeod, one of five members of Canada's 2018 junior team recently acquitted of sexual assault charges, has signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the Russian-based Kontinental Hockey

www.thecanadianpressnews.ca

Carter Hart To Sign 2-Year Deal With Vegas, Despite Petition

Carter Hart will likely sign a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Discover more about this potential signing.

nhltradetalk.com

Carter Hart will be back in the NHL by 2026.

 

[Rifleman62]

Michael McLeod may find himself in a meat assault.

 

[SeaKingTacco]

Carter Hart To Sign 2-Year Deal With Vegas, Despite Petition

Carter Hart will likely sign a two-year deal with the Vegas Golden Knights. Discover more about this potential signing.

nhltradetalk.com

Carter Hart will be back in the NHL by 2026.

Agreed, but likely with a US team to avoid constant Canadian media questions.

 

[The Bread Guy]

Agreed, but likely with a US team to avoid constant Canadian media questions.

Some fans'll still pay attention, though

Carter Hart says ‘no means no!’ chants from Hurricanes fans are ‘just noise’

Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart says he’s not bothered by Carolina fans directing chants toward him regarding his involvement in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial.

www.reviewjournal.com

Carolina fan chants 'just noise,' says Knights goalie Carter Hart

Knights goalie Carter Hart, who is gearing up for Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final, says chants from Hurricanes fans referencing a 2024 sexual assault charge he was later acquitted of are "just noise."

www.espn.com

Meanwhile, more developments ....

Former world junior players broke Hockey Canada code of conduct, panel finds

An independent appeal board has ruled that five players from Canada's 2018 world junior team acquitted last year of sexual assault breached the Hockey Canada code of conduct. Four will remain suspended.

ground.news

From Ground News' summary:

Hockey Canada accepted an independent appeal board's finding yesterday that five players from the 2018 world junior team breached the code of conduct, announcing staggered reinstatement dates. The three-judge appeal board—John Laskin, Katherine Swinton, and Thomas McEwen—ruled the players breached the code following their acquittal last year on sexual assault charges stemming from a 2018 London, Ont., gala. Alex Formenton is eligible immediately, while Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, and Michael McLeod face reinstatement dates of Nov. 10, 2026 through Nov. 10, 2030, respectively. Since becoming eligible to sign with NHL teams Oct. 15, Hart joined the Vegas Golden Knights, Dube signed with St. Louis, while McLeod and Foote pursued overseas opportunities. All other members of the 2018 world junior team are now eligible for consideration in Hockey Canada-sanctioned programs effective immediately, though participants will undergo enhanced screening.

This from the Hockey Canada info-machine

Independent appeal board issues decision

An independent appeal board has issued its decision involving members of the 2018 National Junior Team.

www.hockeycanada.ca