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Game Misconducts.

Hockey Canada and the 2018 World Junior team

2018 – 2026
Acquitted

R. v. McLeod et al., 2025 ONSC 4319. All five accused were found not guilty on July 24, 2025.1

Civil settlement

Hockey Canada settled the civil claim E.M. filed in April 2022 against it, the Canadian Hockey League and eight unnamed players. TSN reported the settlement in May 2022.2

Case sitesIndependent commentary on this case. Each site links back here.
Institutions
  • Hockey Canada
  • National Hockey League
Institutional record
  1. May 2022

    Hockey Canada settled the civil claim E.M. filed in April 2022 against it, the Canadian Hockey League and eight unnamed players.2

  2. July 14, 2022

    Hockey Canada published an open letter saying it had not done enough to address the actions of some members of the 2018 team or to end the culture of toxic behaviour in the game.3

  3. July 20, 2022

    Hockey Canada announced its National Equity Fund would no longer be used to settle sexual assault claims.4

  4. February 5, 2024

    The London Police Service announced sexual assault charges against five members of the 2018 team.5

  5. July 24, 2025

    The Ontario Superior Court of Justice acquitted all five.6

  6. September 11, 2025

    The NHL called the events “deeply troubling and unacceptable,” said the players’ conduct “falls woefully short” of the league’s standards, and announced they would be eligible to sign no sooner than October 15, 2025 and to play no sooner than December 1, 2025.7

  7. August 12, 2026

    An independent appeal board confirmed the 2023 panel’s finding that the players breached Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, and Hockey Canada accepted the board’s recommended sanctions.8 The acquittals stand.9

Last verified October 30, 2026 Complainant protected by a publication ban
EndnotesEvery date and action in this case is sourced.9 sources
  1. Outcome. R. v. McLeod et al., 2025 ONSC 4319 (Ontario Superior Court of Justice). All five accused were found not guilty on July 24, 2025. canlii.ca.↩
  2. Civil settlement. Rick Westhead, TSN, May 26, 2022. tsn.ca.↩
  3. Open letter. Hockey Canada, open letter to Canadians, July 14, 2022. hockeycanada.ca.↩
  4. National Equity Fund. Hockey Canada announcement, July 20, 2022, as reported by CBC Sports, “Hockey Canada says it will no longer use reserve fund to settle sexual assault claims,” July 20, 2022. cbc.ca.↩
  5. Charges announced. London Police Service news conference, February 5, 2024, as reported by CBC News. cbc.ca.↩
  6. Verdict. R. v. McLeod et al., 2025 ONSC 4319, July 24, 2025. canlii.ca.↩
  7. Reinstatement. National Hockey League statement, September 11, 2025. nhl.com.↩
  8. Code of conduct ruling. Hockey Canada news release NR.049.26, “Independent appeal board issues decision,” August 12, 2026. hockeycanada.ca.↩
  9. No appeal. Rick Westhead, CTV News, “Crown won’t appeal verdict in Hockey Canada sexual assault trial,” August 22, 2025. ctvnews.ca.↩

Institutions are the subject of every line. No complainant is identified. Last verified: October 30, 2026.

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