Carter Hart walks into another scandal and this time it's political

Carter Hart was once viewed as one of hockey’s brightest young stars. Drafted by the Philadelphia Flyers in 2016, Hart quickly built a reputation as a calm, technically gifted goaltender capable of becoming the franchise’s long-term answer in net. By his early twenties, he had already represented Canada internationally and earned praise for his maturity under pressure. Many fans believed he could eventually become one of the NHL’s elite goalies.

That trajectory changed dramatically in 2024 when Hart took an indefinite leave of absence after being linked to the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault investigation. He was later charged alongside several former members of Canada’s world junior team. The case became one of the biggest controversies in modern Canadian hockey, sparking debates about consent, hockey culture, and accountability in professional sports.

In 2025, Hart was acquitted of all charges in Ontario court, along with the other accused players. Despite the verdict, public reaction remained deeply divided. Some fans argued that the acquittal meant Hart deserved the opportunity to resume his career, while others believed the allegations alone had permanently damaged his reputation and trust within the sport. Online discussions and media coverage reflected that split, with strong opinions on both sides.

While they faced some public backlash for the move, the Vegas Golden Knights elected to give Hart a second chance by signing him to a contract mid-season. The truth is that his skill is undeniable and it was only a matter of time until he found himself back in the NHL's good graces. Now, he's a big part of Vegas' playoff success and he's just one game away from taking Vegas to the Stanley Cup Final.

Since returning to the NHL earlier this season, Hart has said all the right things and has more or less kept his head down while trying to re-establish his career. All of that is to say that he has done a good job of avoiding controversy thus far... until today.

Social media users on Reddit today uncovered a recent photo of Hart posing with a fan while wearing a controversial "FREE ALBERTA" t-shirt.

Check it out:

A closer look:

For those unaware, the 'Free Alberta' movement is a separatist movement established in Hart's home province of Alberta with the goal of seceding from Canada and establishing a sovereign nation or joining the United States. The movement has met with U.S. State Department officials and has sought as much as $500 billion line of credit from the U.S. Treasury.

In other words: They are traitors to their own country.

And Carter Hart appears to support these traitors.

Do with that information what you will. Draw your own conclusions, hockey fans.

I'm not here to vilify a man or dig up a past that he has owned up to, I'm simply stating facts. And the facts are that Carter Hart is wearing merchandise from a movement that is seeking to undermine its own nation for the benefit of another nation. Call that what you want, I call it treason.

Again, all Hart had to do to get back in hockey fans good graces was to keep his opinions to himself and stop the puck. At least he's been able to do half that...