Acquitted, But Not Off the Hook: Hockey Canada Extends Bans in 2018 Sexual Assault Case

CALGARY, Alberta — The 2018 Canada world junior sexual assault case is far from over. Even after acquittals in criminal court, Hockey Canada is keeping the hammer down. On Wednesday, the federation extended international suspensions for three of the five players, ruling they still violated the organization's code of conduct.

The new timeline: Michael McLeod is banned until Nov. 10, 2030. Dillon Dube until Nov. 10, 2028. Carter Hart until Nov. 10, 2027. Cal Foote's suspension ends this November. And Alex Formenton? Fully reinstated.

An independent appeal board made the call

The decisions come after an independent appeal board found the players breached Hockey Canada's code of conduct. So while the courts said not guilty on sexual assault charges, Hockey Canada's internal discipline is playing by a different rulebook.

This isn't just symbolic. These bans only affect representing Canada on the international stage — not their pro careers. And don't forget: the NHL gave all five the green light to sign contracts starting in October and to hit the ice in December.

Life after the courtroom

Hart already returned to the NHL with Vegas in December and promptly backstopped the Golden Knights to a Stanley Cup. Dube signed with St. Louis in July, becoming the second of the five to land an NHL deal. Foote had an agreement in Sweden fall apart after fan backlash, Formenton is playing in Switzerland, and McLeod is locked in with a KHL contract for two more seasons.

Bottom line: On the ice, some of these guys are rebuilding their careers. But wearing the Maple Leaf again? That's a whole different story.