By The Canadian Press

Former world junior hockey players plead not guilty at sex assault trial

Apr 22, 2025 | 2:00 AM

LONDON — Five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team pleaded not guilty Tuesday as the jurors who will hear their sexual assault case were selected.

Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were charged with sexual assault early last year in an incident that allegedly took place in London, Ont., in June 2018.

McLeod is facing an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The players, all dressed in dark suits, entered their pleas one by one in a packed London courtroom as jury selection began Tuesday morning.

By the end of the day, 14 jurors and two alternates were chosen. The jury appeared to be composed of a majority of women.

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The trial is expected to begin Wednesday and last about eight weeks.

The charges against the players relate to an incident that allegedly occurred as many of the team’s members were in London for a Hockey Canada gala celebrating their gold-medal win at that year’s world junior tournament.

The complainant cannot be identified under a standard publication ban.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 22, 2025.

Paola Loriggio, The Canadian Press