Activists push for lifetime NHL ban for players found not guilty in 2018 World Juniors case

Last week the five players accused in the 2018 World Juniors sexual assault case were all found Not Guilty.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were all found Not Guilty of sexually assaulting an unnamed woman in June of 2018 in a London, ON hotel room.

Now, there's speculation about how and where the players might resume their careers. Specifically, there's speculation that Hart, a highly touted goaltender, is seeking to return to the NHL.

"Mr. Hart regrets that it took a criminal trial for the truth to come out, but he has learned from the experience and he is committing to sharing what he has learnt with others in his personal circle and in his professional life," Hart's lawyer Megan Savard said to CBC.

"Carter Hart will play in the NHL. I have no doubt at all," Eric Macramalla, a TSN/Forbes Sports legal analyst and host, said on X on Thursday. He added in later interviews that Hart's decision to testify at the London trial will go a long way in the court of public opinion. 

Currently though, the players are all under indefinite suspension for violating the NHL's code of conduct. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is responsible for clearing the suspensions, if he so chooses.

NHLPA head Marty Walsh released a statement last week saying that the players have a right to return to work and that the union will work with the NHL to get these players reinstated. At the same time though, there are a group of activists working behind the scenes to keep these players suspended indefinitely.

Allison Forsyth, an advocate for safe sport and founder of Generation Safe, told CBC, "Just because people are found not guilty doesn't mean that bad things have not happened." Forsyth added she doesn't think the five men in the London trial should be allowed to return to the NHL.

"There is a sexual culture of hockey. I know it. I have had players disclose the past that they have had within hockey where very bad things have happened. And this [allowing them to be eligible for NHL play] will send a message that hockey condones this type of sexual culture."

What do you think? Should these players be free to resume their NHL careers?