Ottawa, Canada — Five members of the 2018 national junior hockey team, who each went on to play in the NHL, have come under scrutiny following allegations of an assault that took place during their junior careers. Since the incident, the players have had varied trajectories in their professional lives but recently found themselves taking leaves of absence from their teams after being instructed to cooperate with a police investigation that began in January 2024.
Alex Formenton, 25, a notable forward who previously shined with the Ontario Hockey League’s London Knights, was drafted by the Ottawa Senators in 2017. After parting ways with the Senators over a contract disagreement in December 2022, he has since been playing in Switzerland. In a related issue, Formenton filed a lawsuit seeking $20.5 million against his former agents, claiming they failed in their duties and breached their contract with him.
Carter Hart, regarded as one of the standout goaltenders of the 2018 junior team and a core player for the Philadelphia Flyers, has recently taken an indefinite leave of absence for personal reasons. His departure comes at a critical time for the franchise, which has relied on his skills as a primary netminder.
Dillon Dubé, who captained the 2018 junior squad, solidified his position with the Calgary Flames before signing a one-year deal with Dinamo Minsk in the Kontinental Hockey League in August. His move precedes recent events that have put both his career and personal life under intense scrutiny.
Cal Foote, 26, has been navigating the challenges of being a professional hockey player as the son of Hockey Hall of Famer Adam Foote. He has mostly played in the minors over the past season and is now taking a leave of absence, adding to the complex situation facing the former junior stars.
Meanwhile, Michael McLeod, 27, has been a regular on the New Jersey Devils roster. Currently amidst the unfolding investigations, he has joined Dubé in the KHL for the 2024-25 season while waiting for the situation to resolve.
Despite the allegations that have emerged, all five players have maintained their innocence through legal representations. The situation remains fluid, and the implications for their careers and the sport as a whole could be significant as the legal proceedings advance.
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