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Acquitted Hockey Players Sign NHL Deals After High-Profile Case
16 Oct, 2025
Summary
- Goaltender Carter Hart signs with Vegas Golden Knights
- 5 players acquitted of sexual assault in 2018 case
- Players not eligible to play until December 1st
On October 16th, 2025, it was announced that goaltender Carter Hart has agreed to sign with the Vegas Golden Knights. This makes Hart the first of the five 2018 Canada world junior hockey players to land an NHL contract since they were acquitted of sexual assault charges in a high-profile case.
The other players involved - Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton - are also not eligible to play in games until December 1st as part of the league's reinstatement process for them. The Golden Knights stated they are aligned with the NHL and NHLPA's decision and expect their players to continue meeting the organization's core values.
McLeod has signed a three-year contract in the Russia-based KHL, while Formenton is currently playing in Switzerland. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said each team will have to make its own decision on whether to sign the players, as they know the rules in place.
Hart, who is 27 years old, is resuming his NHL career with the Golden Knights after spending his first six seasons with the Philadelphia Flyers. The Flyers had ruled out bringing him back, with Hart's camp communicating that a fresh start was a better option.
