Pair of New Jersey Devils on Thin Ice Over Assault Allegations
New Jersey Devils’ Michael McLeod and Cal Foote are on thin ice after sexual assault allegations came to light, as the duo is linked to a scandal that involves Canada’s World Juniors Championship team from 2018 — a team both McLeod and Foote were a part of.
According to reports, McLeod and Foote, along with Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart and Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube and former NHL player Alex Formenton are linked to allegations of sexual assault.
Reports say the woman making the accusation claims she was sexually assaulted by eight members of the team after a party celebrating the World Juniors gold medal victory back in 2018.
The investigation has been conducted by police in London, Ontario since 2022. The NHL also opened its own investigation into the matter the same year. ESPN reports the league recently completed its investigation but has not made its findings public.
LEGAL STATEMENTS
Representatives for McLeod, Hart, and Dube also confirm that the four players were charged with one degree of sexual assault and that they are innocent of any wrongdoing.
According to News 12 New Jersey, McLeod and Foote will plead not guilty.
ESPN reports that representatives for Foote claim that the Devils defenseman is innocent.
“Julianna Greenspan of Greenspan Partners LLP in Toronto, the representation for Foote, emailed ESPN saying, “Cal is innocent of the charge and will defend himself against this allegation to clear his name. What is most critical at this time is the presumption of innocence, and the right to a fair trial that everyone in Canada is entitled to.”
McLeod’s attorneys, David Humphrey and Seth Weinstein, said in a statement. “We ask that the public respect Mr. McLeod’s privacy, and his family’s privacy. Because the matter is now before the court, we will not comment further at this time.”
NO COMMENT
The Devils have not commented on the matter, referring all inquiries to the league.
