Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube and Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart have been charged with sexual assault in London, Ont., lawyers representing the two players confirmed to Sportsnet.
“The London Police Service have charged Mr. Dubé with sexual assault,” Louis P. Strezos and Kaleigh Davidson said in a statement to Sportsnet. “He will plead not guilty and maintains his innocence. He will defend the allegations in court. We ask that you respect the privacy of Mr. Dubé and that of his family. There will be no further comment at this time.”
“We act for Carter Hart and confirm he has been charged with one count of sexual assault,” Megan Savard and Riaz Sayani of Savard and Foy said in a statement. “He is innocent and will provide a full response to this false allegation in the proper forum, a court of law. Until then, we have no comment.”
Along with Dube and Hart, Devils forward Michael McLeod and former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton have also been charged with sexual assault by London police. All four players were members of the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team.
“We can now confirm that more than five and a half years after EM’s initial complaint to police, the London Police Service has charged Mike McLeod with sexual assault,” David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein of Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein said in a statement provided to Sportsnet. “Mr. McLeod denies any criminal wrongdoing. He will be pleading not guilty and will vigorously defend the case. None of the evidence has been presented, let alone tested in court. We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod’s privacy, and his family’s privacy. Because the matter is now before the court, we will not comment further at this time.”
In May 2022, it was revealed that a woman had alleged in a lawsuit that she was sexually assaulted by eight men, including members of the 2018 men’s world junior team, in June 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit with the woman, known only as E.M., for an undisclosed sum before the allegations came to light. Hockey Canada’s handling of the suit led to a national reckoning for the organization, including hearings in Ottawa and turnover of its leadership.
A year ago, London police filed an application with the Ontario Court of Justice stating they had reasonable grounds to believe five members of the 2018 Canadian World Junior team had sexually assaulted a woman.
None of the allegations against the four players charged have been heard in court.
Dube, 25, is a six-year NHL veteran who has appeared in 325 games. He took a leave of absence on Jan. 21 and the Flames said in a statement he would be meeting with medical professionals for his mental health.
Hart, 25, asked for and was granted a leave of absence by the Flyers on Jan. 23. He is a six-year NHL veteran who has appeared in 227 games.
McLeod, 25, was granted a leave of absence by the Devils on Jan. 24. He is a six-year NHL veteran who has appeared in 287 games.
London police have called a press conference for Feb. 5 to provide an update on the case.
