Scandal and Vindication: Not Guilty Verdict Shakes Hockey Canada

Five former players from Canada's 2018 world junior ice hockey team have been acquitted of sexual assault charges by a Canadian court. A judge ruled that the evidence against them was not credible enough to prove guilt, despite the disturbing nature of the allegations.

The trial drew significant attention due to the involvement of prominent hockey figures, including Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, and Cal Foote. The National Hockey League (NHL) expressed condemnation of the behavior and stated the players would remain ineligible pending further review of the situation.

This high-profile case spurred a reevaluation at Hockey Canada, which faced public scrutiny and financial setbacks as it navigated the scandal. The Canadian government froze Hockey Canada's funding for ten months, leading to a change in the organization's leadership and a review of how it handles sexual assault claims.

(With inputs from agencies.)