Hello everyone, Joseph Hadid here for W W SUP and let’s recap the top news from the long week we just had.
Acquitted to Comeback: The NHL’s Long Road to Reinstatement
“Five NHL players. A scandal that shocked Canadian hockey. Years of silence. And now… a second chance. But not without a cost.”
“This is the story of Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton — men once celebrated, then accused, and now, cleared in court. But the question remains: can you ever really return to a game that moved on without you?”
Part 1 The Incident & The Trial
“In June 2018, after a Hockey Canada Gala in London, Ontario, a woman accused several members of the Canadian World Junior team of sexual assault.”
“Those accused included five NHL players: Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton. The case lingered in secrecy until 2022, when public pressure forced Hockey Canada to re-open its own investigation.”
“The Ontario Superior Court trial began in 2025, with the hockey world watching. Then, in July 2025, the court ruled: ‘The evidence presented was not credible or reliable. The defendants are acquitted.'”
“Though legally cleared, the storm was far from over.”
Part 2 NHL Reaction & The Moral Question
“The NHL faced its own reckoning. An independent investigation had been underway since 2022. Once the trial ended, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman made a difficult announcement:”
‘While these players are legally acquitted, we hold all members of the NHL to a standard beyond legality. Their behavior failed our standards of conduct.'”
“Each player faced professional fallout. Contracts expired. No new ones were offered. For over a year, their careers hung in limbo.”
“The public was split. Some believed justice was served and a second chance was deserved. Others felt the NHL was being too lenient.”
“This wasn’t just about what happened. It was about what should happen next.”
Part 3 Reinstatement: Dates, Rules, and Comebacks
“On September 11, 2025, the NHL announced a reinstatement framework.”
October 15, 2025: Players can sign contracts.
December 1, 2025: Players are eligible to play in official NHL games.
“Each of the five players took a different route.”
Carter Hart, once a franchise goalie, may attract offers immediately.
Dillon Dubé and Michael McLeod are reliable middle-six forwards.
Cal Foote, a defenseman, is still seen as having upside.
Alex Formenton played in Europe during the ban and remains under Ottawa Senators control.
“Will teams take the PR risk? What do they owe their fans? Their players?”
Part 4 Bigger Than Hockey
“This story isn’t just about five men. It’s about a sport confronting its shadows. About a league defining its moral compass. About how much we can or should forgive.”
“Because in this era of instant judgment and social accountability, the NHL’s decision will echo. Into locker rooms. Into boardrooms. Into courtrooms.”
“Can reputations truly be restored? Can victims feel justice even after an acquittal? Can fans trust again?”
“These players have been given another shot. But redemption isn’t automatic. It’s earned. And now, the real game begins.”
“Let us know in the comments: Should these players return to the ice? Can we separate legal innocence from moral responsibility?”
“Don’t forget to like, share, and subscribe for more stories at the intersection of sport and society.”
That’s all for this.. take care youtube family, lookout for each other. Until we meet next week same time. Worldwide sports updates. Your podcast. Your news. Your local community. Signing off.
