Four NHL players facing sexual assault charges in Canada

Four NHL players, and a fifth player who had been playing overseas are facing criminal charges in a 2018 sexual assault case in London, Ontario, according to their lawyers. 

Lawyers for Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, and New Jersey Devils players Michael McLeod and Cal Foote confirmed that each player has been charged.

Alex Formenton, a former player for the Ottawa Senators, already turned himself into police this week as part of the case.

All five players faced allegations of sexual assault in 2018 at a Hockey Canada gala celebrating team Canada's win at that year's World Junior championships.

Word of the investigation into the allegations first surfaced in 2022 but did not name any of the specific players.

It was not until the past week when Dube, Hart, McLeod, Foote and Formenton all took leaves of absences with their respective teams that the players had started to be identified. All five players are expected to plead not guilty.

The Flames faced criticism for announcing Dube's leave as being related to his mental health. They issued a statement on Tuesday night saying they were not away of the criminal charges.

London police have a news conference scheduled for Monday to offer updates on the case.

As of this time, the NHL and NHLPA have not made any statements or rulings on the case or the charges.