The National Hockey League announced last week that five players who were acquitted of sexual assault in July will be allowed to return to the league later this year.

In a statement, the NHL said Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart and Michael McLeod will be eligible to sign new contracts as of Oct. 15 and allowed to play starting Dec. 1. Hockey Canada’s sanctions against the players remain in place. In 2022, it suspended the entire 2018 world junior team over the incident. They’re not allowed to play, coach, officiate or volunteer in any program Hockey Canada oversees.

Already, there are howls of protest over the reinstatement from those who’d like to see the five punished in perpetuity. A review of the court case dictates otherwise. Justice Maria Carroccia was unequivoc

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