Published By: Sports Desk
Last Updated: February 06, 2024, 00:01 IST
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Lawyers for 4 NHL gamers and a former NHL participant charged with sexual assault throughout their time on Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey group appeared earlier than a Canadian court docket on Monday within the newest step within the case that has rocked the game.
LONDON, Ontario: Lawyers for 4 NHL gamers and a former NHL participant charged with sexual assault throughout their time on Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey group appeared earlier than a Canadian court docket on Monday within the newest step within the case that has rocked the game.
Attorneys representing Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames and former NHL participant Alex Formenton took half in a video listening to. No gamers have been current on the court docket continuing in London, a metropolis about midway between Toronto and Detroit.
The subsequent listening to was scheduled for April 30. London Police wee holding a information convention later within the day to offer an replace on the investigation.
Court paperwork present the 5 gamers have been charged late final month with sexual assault, with McLeod dealing with an additional cost for “being a party to the offense.”
During the temporary listening to, prosecutors sought and obtained an order defending the identification of the complainant, which is customary in sexual assault circumstances, in addition to that of two witnesses. Prosecutor Heather Donkers additionally mentioned the gamers’ attorneys would obtain “substantial disclosure” within the subsequent few days. Disclosure is the proof collected by the prosecution.
Lawyers for all 5 gamers have mentioned their shoppers will not be responsible and would defend themselves in opposition to the allegations. The gamers surrendered to London police over the previous week.
The case has shadowed Canadian hockey for years.
A lady sued Hockey Canada in 2022, alleging she was sexually assaulted in a lodge room by eight members of Canada’s world junior group after a fundraising gala in London in June 2018. Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit, after which an investigation revealed the group had two secret slush funds to pay out settlements on claims of sexual assault and abuse.
London police dropped their investigation in 2019 however started one other inner investigation in July 2022. Around the identical time, the NHL launched its personal investigation, although the outcomes of that seemingly is not going to be launched till the authorized case is resolved.
“At this stage, the most responsible and prudent thing for us to do is await the conclusion of the judicial proceedings, at which point we will respond as appropriate at the time,” Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned Friday at All-Star Weekend in Toronto.
The gamers are all on indefinite depart from their groups. Bettman mentioned the league doesn’t take into account it essential to droop the gamers with out pay for the remainder of the season.
Bettman mentioned the league came upon concerning the allegations on May 26, 2022. He mentioned the NHL interviewed each participant from that group, including the lady concerned declined to participate within the investigation.
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The Canadian Press contributed.
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AP hockey: https://apnews.com/hub/hockey
(This story has not been edited by News18 workers and is printed from a syndicated information company feed – Associated Press)
