Four NHL players have reportedly been granted indefinite leaves of absence from their teams in the wake of sexual assault allegations first reported by the Globe and Mail. Michael McLeod and Carter Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames are the four players at the center of the scandal.
On Sunday, the Flames announced that they had granted Dube an “indefinite leave of absence” citing mental health and stating that he is “under the care of professionals.” The Flyers followed suit Tuesday afternoon, announcing that Hart had requested a leave of absence for “personal reasons.”
The New Jersey Devils then announced on Wednesday that McLeod and Foote would also be taking indefinite leaves of absence. The players’ teams have not commented further on the situation, but the accusation stems from an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 2018 during the World Juniors at a hockey gala in London, Ontario, Canada.
According to the Globe and Mail, Hockey Canada settled a civil lawsuit with an unnamed woman in March 2022. The woman claimed she was sexually assaulted by eight men, including five members of the 2018 World Juniors team, at the gala. The five players reportedly include the four NHL players and a fifth former NHL player, Alex Formenton, who played for the Ottawa Senators from 2017-2022.
Per Philadelphia Flyers General Manager, Daniel Briere:
“Carter Hart has requested and been granted an indefinite leave of absence citing personal reasons. The club will have no further comment at this time.” pic.twitter.com/jC1GyxcKWR
— Philadelphia Flyers (@NHLFlyers) January 23, 2024
The incident was allegedly reported to London police and a law firm retained by Hockey Canada in 2018, but both investigations were closed. However, they were reopened after the civil suit became public, and the London police have now requested that the five World Juniors players surrender themselves to face charges.
The London Police Service declined to comment further on the matter, stating that a press conference has been scheduled for February 5. The team managers for the accused NHL players have also not issued any statements or made themselves readily available for comment.
This scandal has caused a stir in the hockey world, with fans and players alike expressing shock and concern over the allegations. Many are calling for the suspension or termination of the players involved, while others are urging for due process and a fair investigation.
The NHL has released a statement saying they are aware of the allegations and are cooperating with authorities in their investigation. The league has also stated that they take these matters seriously and will be closely monitoring the situation.
In the wake of the scandal, mental health experts have also been weighing in on the matter, emphasizing the importance of addressing players’ mental health and well-being. They urge for support and resources to be made available to the players involved to help them cope with the stress and trauma of the situation.
— New Jersey Devils (@NJDevils) January 24, 2024
The teams of the accused players are faced with the difficult decision of how to handle the indefinite leave of absence. With the players being key members of their teams, their absence could greatly impact the performance and chemistry of the teams. However, in light of the serious allegations, it is understandable that the teams are prioritizing the well-being of their players and giving them time and space to address the situation.
As the investigation continues and more details emerge, the hockey world waits anxiously to see how this scandal will unfold and what the consequences will be for the players involved. It serves as a reminder of the importance of addressing issues of sexual misconduct and supporting the mental health of athletes, and the need for continued efforts to create a safe and respectful environment in sports.
