Pittsburgh Hockey Insider has no direct affiliation to the Pittsburgh Penguins, NHL or NHLPA
NHLPA Fires Back After NHL Declares 2018 WJC Players Ineligible Despite Acquittal
The NHLPA has fired back to stand up for the 2018 WJC players who were deemed ineligible to return to the NHL despite being acquitted of any charges.
The five former members of Team Canada's world junior hockey team were acquitted in the high-profile London, Ont., trial Thursday, but the jury is still out on whether or not they'll be able to return to their NHL careers.
A few hours after the judge's decision, the NHL said Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote would be ineligible to play during the time it takes for the league to review the findings.
The NHLPA responded and said that its players should "have the opportunity to return to work."
The players were found not guilty on every single charge
The players were found not guilty of all the charges regarding an encounter with a woman in a hotel room seven years ago, Ontario Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia ruled.
The NHL stated the allegations in the case were "very disturbing," even if they were not deemed criminal. The league also said that the behaviour of the players was "unacceptable."
The NHLPA said ruling the players ineligible while the NHL further looks into the case does not align with the terms of the collective bargaining agreement.
NHLPA statement:
"Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod were acquitted of all charges by Justice Carroccia of the Ontario Superior Court," the NHLPA's statement read. "After missing more than a full season of their respective NHL careers, they should now have the opportunity to return to work. The NHL's declaration that the Players are 'ineligible' to play pending its further analysis of the Court's findings is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA.
"We are addressing this dispute with the League and will have no further comment at this time."
"Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod were acquitted of all charges by Justice Carroccia of the Ontario Superior Court," the NHLPA's statement read. "After missing more than a full season of their respective NHL careers, they should now have the opportunity to return to work. The NHL's declaration that the Players are 'ineligible' to play pending its further analysis of the Court's findings is inconsistent with the discipline procedures set forth in the CBA.
"We are addressing this dispute with the League and will have no further comment at this time."
McLeod, Hart, Dube, and Foote were active NHL players at the time of their 2024 arrests, this coming days after all four players were granted leave from their clubs.
Alex Formenton, an Ottawa Senators draft pick, has not played in the NHL since back in 2022.
While the NHL's review is taking place, experts do believe it's very possible that the players will eventually return to play in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
JUILLET 25 | 87 ANSWERS NHLPA Fires Back After NHL Declares 2018 WJC Players Ineligible Despite Acquittal Should these players be allowed back to play in the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 62 | 71.3 % |
| No | 25 | 28.7 % |
| List of polls | ||