Five former Hockey Canada players who were found not guilty of sexual assault charges in July will be suspended to start the 2025-26 NHL season but eligible to return to play Dec. 1, the league announced Thursday.

Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod were members of Hockey Canada's 2018 National U-20 Junior Team. They were criminally charged in early 2024 for an alleged incident that took place after the 2018 Hockey Canada Foundation Gala in London, Ontario.

In July, Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia found the five players not guilty of sexual assault. McLeod also was acquitted of a separate charge of being a party to the offense of sexual assault.

The NHL said at the time that the players were ineligible to play until reinstated. The NHL a

See Full Page