The NHL and NHLPA spoke on the eligibility of the five Hockey Canada defendants, including Carter Hart, who were found not guilty.

The eight-week trial proved challenging to manage, leading to two jury dismissals and eventually the judge-only decision.

Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé and Michael McLeod were found not guilty of sexual assault in a verdict shared by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia on Thursday in London, Ontario, according to The Athletic's Sean Gentille and Hailey Salvian.

In 2024, five players from Team Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team—Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton—were charged with sexual assault related to an alleged incident in London, Ontario. The five players have all pled not guilty and a verdict will come out sometime within the afternoon or evening on Thursday.

Dan Robson and Katie Strang have more previously unreported details on the tumultuous trial that shook the sport, and wonder if the players’ exoneration will provide a path back to pro hockey. They are ineligible to play in the NHL while the league considers the judge’s findings, though the players’ association took issue with that approach.

Logan Hensler (Woodbury), Adam Kleber (Chaska), Max Plante (Hermantown) and Brodie Ziemer (Chaska) are the Minnesotans with World Juniors experience, but plenty of other locals are being considered to continue USA Hockey’s momentum.

Games to stream live beginning with Maple Leafs hosting Red Wings on Oct. 13

Former Dallas Stars head coach Pete DeBoer is wasting no time in joining another hockey team’s coaching staff. On Monday morning, Team Canada announced its full staff that will serve under current Tampa Bay Lightning head coach Jon Cooper for the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic Games, and the former Stars coach was included.