Hockey Canada announced Wednesday that four of the five former members of the 2018 World Junior team will remain suspended after an independent appeal process confirmed breaches of the organisation's code of conduct.
Appeal board decision
The appeal panel found that all five players had violated the code, but ordered the immediate reinstatement of Alex Formenton. The other four will serve bans that extend into the next decade.
Cal Foote will be barred until 10 November 2024, Carter Hart until the same date in 2027, Dillon Dube until 10 November 2028 and Michael McLeod until 10 November 2030.
Implications for national programmes
Hockey Canada said no other members of the 2018 squad were found to have breached the code, meaning they remain eligible for all sanctioned programmes, including the Winter Olympic Games. Any player considered for future national teams will undergo an enhanced screening process that incorporates a third party review of the 2018 findings.
The five athletes were cleared to return to the NHL last year after league suspensions were lifted following their acquittal by a London, Ont., jury.
Current playing status
Formenton is now with a club in the Swiss National League. Hart has resumed his role as goaltender for the Vegas Golden Knights. Dube signed a one‑year deal with the St. Louis Blues in July. McLeod is playing for a Russian club in the Kontinental Hockey League. Foote was briefly signed by Swedish club Färjestad BK, but the contract was rescinded after public concern.
Hockey Canada thanked the investigator, the independent adjudicative panel and the appeal board for their work in preserving the integrity of the process.
Based on reporting by Global News.