Five former members of Canada's 2018 World Junior Ice Hockey team—Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, and Cal Foote—were found not guilty of sexual assault on Thursday. Judge Maria Carroccia stated she did not find the complainant's allegations "credible or reliable." The complainant's lawyer, Karen Bellehumeur, expressed her client's disappointment with the verdict and the judge's assessment of her credibility. The alleged incident occurred at a hotel in London, Ontario, in 2018, following a team celebration. The judge accepted the defendants' claim that the complainant was a willing participant, stating the complainant failed to establish the encounter was "vitiated by fear" and noting inconsistencies in her recollection.

The case, which saw two previous juries dismissed before a single judge rendered the verdict, sparked debate about sexual assault culture within Canadian hockey and the treatment of alleged victims within the justice system. The judge's decision was met with gasps in the courtroom. David Humphrey, lawyer for Michael McLeod, described the decision as a "resounding vindication." The CEO and board of directors of Hockey Canada resigned in October 2022 amid scrutiny of the case and an out-of-court settlement with the accuser.

Impact Statement: The verdict concludes a high-profile case that significantly impacted the Canadian hockey community and fueled discussions about sexual assault allegations and the justice system's handling of such cases.