Canada junior hockey champs plead not-guilty at sex assault trial

Article content

By: Jane Sims

LONDON, ONT. — First was former New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod.

“Not guilty,” he said twice, once after hearing the charge of sexual assault and again after hearing his second charge of sexual assault as a party to the offence. Ready for his trial.

He sat down. Next was former Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart. “Not guilty.” Ready for his trial.

Article content

Next up was former London Knights and former Ottawa Senators forward Alex Formenton. “Not guilty” to sexual assault. Ready for his trial.

Former Calgary Flames defenceman Dillon Dube. “Not guilty” to sexual assault.

Finally, former Tampa Bay Lightning player Cal Foote. “Not guilty” to sexual assault.

So began the highly anticipated trial of five members of the 2018 gold-winning Canadian world junior hockey team who, instead of wearing team colours, found themselves in suits and in a London courtroom on Tuesday picking a jury.

The five players were charged in January 2024 after an allegation made by a woman who said she was sexually assaulted in a downtown hotel room after an encounter at a Richmond Row bar on June 19, 2018. The hockey team was in town for a gala event in London celebrating its championship win months earlier.

The trial is slated to last eight weeks.

A phalanx of news media was at the front door of the London courthouse hours before it opened, wanting to snag one of the few seats available in the courtroom designed to handle multiple accused but with limited public seating.

Article content

Article content

Competing for access to the 14th floor — with only two public elevators available — were about 150 potential jurors, the first pool of people who would be part of a random selection for the vetting process.

Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia gave overview remarks to a courtroom full of perspective jurors, noting the importance of their participation in the criminal justice system. “This remarkable system comes at a price. Citizens must be prepared to serve as jurors as called upon to do so,” the Windsor judge said.

The potential jurors were asked up to five questions. Carroccia advised them to tell her if they have health issues or personal plans that would make them ineligible to serve.

“In addition, in this case, you will see videos of strobing lights. If that poses a health problem for you, please let me know,” she said.

One question focused on whether they or anyone they knew was accused of, or a victim of, sexual abuse. Also of concern was the media spotlight that has been on this case for years. Potential jurors were told they would be asked about whether that coverage would affect their ability to judge the case fairly.

Article content

Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham read the names of 47 potential witnesses connected to the case, including police officers, at least a dozen members of Team Canada, and lawyers.

By the end of Tuesday, 14 jurors — 11 women and three men — had been selected to hear the case. Two alternates — a man and a woman — were also chosen and will attend the start of the trial.

Traditionally, the two alternates would be excused after the Crown’s opening statement and before the evidence begins, unless one of the 14 can’t serve.

Only 12 people will decide the verdicts. The reason extras are selected is because during lengthy trials there is a greater risk that someone might not be able to complete their duties because of unforeseen circumstances.

If 14 jurors remain at the end of the trial, two jurors selected at random will not be part of the final deliberations.

Jurors were told before selection began that they will be paid $150 a day to cover hardship and expenses.

Carroccia told the jury that she will give them further instructions Wednesday morning and the trial will begin.

jsims@postmedia.com

Article content