London/Ontario, May 16, 2025: The high-profile sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey team will continue as a judge-alone proceeding after the jury was unexpectedly dismissed. Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia announced the decision in court, though the reasons remain sealed under a publication ban.
The accused — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, and Cal Foote — face charges of sexual assault related to an alleged incident in June 2018 at a London hotel, following a Hockey Canada gala. McLeod faces an additional charge of being a party to the offense. All five have pleaded not guilty.
The trial, which began on April 22, had already faced delays after being declared a mistrial early on. With the dismissal of the jury, Justice Carroccia will now hear the remainder of the case alone, with proceedings expected to continue in the coming weeks.
The case has drawn national attention, not only for the high-profile nature of the accused but also for its connection to Hockey Canada, which has faced intense scrutiny over its handling of sexual misconduct allegations in recent years.
Due to the publication ban, no further details regarding the jury’s dismissal or in-camera proceedings can be disclosed at this time.
