3 NHL players, 1 former player, charged in 2018 sexual assault case: Lawyers

NHL forwards Michael McLeod (New Jersey Devils), Dillon Dube (Calgary Flames) and goaltender Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers) have all been charged by London Ont., police with sexual assault in connection to allegations involving Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team, their lawyers confirmed in separate statements Tuesday.

David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein of Toronto law firm Greenspan Humphrey Weinstein said McLeod will “vigorously defend the case.”

Lawyers Louis P. Strezos and Kaleigh Davidson said Dube will also plead not guilty.

Hart’s lawyers did not immediately reveal how he plans to plead.

The evidence in the case has not been tested in court.

The NHLers are among five players from Canada’s 2018 world junior squad who recently went on indefinite leave from their pro clubs amid a report that five members of that roster were asked to surrender to face sexual assault charges.

A lawyer for former NHL player Alex Formenton confirmed Sunday that his client has been charged in connection with the case, and said Formenton would plead not guilty.