According to a new report, the five 2018 Hockey Canada acquitted, including two former New Jersey Devils players, will be re-instated.
The NHL later confirmed the report.
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NHL insider, Elliotte Friedman, reports that the NHL and NHLPA have agreed that the five players who were found not guilty of sexual assault will continue to be suspended through December 1st, 2025. However, they are free to sign with NHL clubs who are interested from then after.
However, as part of the agreement, although the 2018 Hockey Canada acquitted cannot resume their NHL careers until December, they are free to sign new contracts starting on October 15th.
Friedman via Sportsnet writes, “There is precedent for this. Without an agreement, commissioner Gary Bettman would need to hold a hearing and make a ruling. If the union or players disagreed, everyone risked the possibility of an uncertain and/or lengthy arbitration grievance process. Shane Pinto’s 41-game suspension in 2023 for violating the league’s sports wagering policy went through a similar negotiation.”
The rest of Friedman’s report can be read here.
Ex-Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton has already signed a contract with HC Ambrì-Piotta of the National League in Switzerland. Yet, Formenton’s contract holds an option through the end of 2025-26.
According to Friedman, the belief is that Gary Bettman has already met with the five players sometime in August after they were all found not guilty on July 24th by Justice Maria Carroccia after a two-month trial in London, Ont.
Thus, ex-Devils Michael McLeod and Cal Foote, in addition to Formenton, Carter Hart, and Dillon Dubé are all clear to resume their NHL careers at the midway point of the 2025-26 NHL season.
In the statement by the NHL reinstating the five acquitted, they explained:
“Each of the players, based on in-person meetings with the League following the verdicts, expressed regret and remorse for his actions. Nevertheless, we believe their conduct requires formal League-imposed discipline.
“Given their conduct, we carefully evaluated the players’ acquittal in court and the time spent away from the game. Taking into account that the players have been away from the game for 20 months – including since their acquittals in July — we have determined that the players will be eligible to sign an NHL contract no sooner than October 15, 2025, and eligible to play in NHL games no sooner than December 1, 2025, bringing their total time out of the League to nearly two years.
“The League expects and requires that, going forward, each of the players will uphold the standards required of NHL players both on and off the ice.”
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