Ugly fallout erupts after Cal Foote signing

The Carolina Hurricanes are facing significant backlash following the signing of defenseman Cal Foote by their AHL affiliate, the Chicago Wolves. Announced on Monday, Foote’s deal is a standard AHL contract aimed at giving him a chance to restart his professional career. Foote would have to sign an NHL contract to be eligible for a call-up.

The announcement, however, ignited immediate reactions from fans on social media. Comments ranged from questioning the signing to expressing outrage over his past.

One fan wrote, “Stop bringing predators into hockey!!!!!! There’s so many more talented unproblematic people out there!!!!!” while another asked, “Is Cal Foote THAT good of a player? I don’t think so.”

The controversy stems from Foote’s connection to a high-profile 2018 case involving five players from Hockey Canada’s junior team, in which he was acquitted. Now attempting to rebuild his career, Foote is taking a path through the AHL, a common route for players looking to return to the NHL or re-establish themselves professionally.

For the Hurricanes and their affiliate, the signing illustrates the delicate balance teams face when evaluating talent while navigating public perception. While the organization has made no secret that the deal is focused on giving Foote a chance to prove himself on the ice, fans have voiced that the past cannot be easily separated from the present.

The online response has been overwhelming enough that the Wolves’ social media team may need to manage ongoing dialogue, highlighting just how contentious these signings can become — even when the player has been legally cleared of wrongdoing.

The Vegas Golden Knights got the same sort of response earlier this season when signing goalie Carter Hart to a contract. He got his first start with the club last night.

As the AHL season progresses, all eyes will be on Foote’s performance and the organization’s handling of fan sentiment. The Wolves are in action later tonight.

Foote last played in 2024-25 for Liptovsky Mikulas in the top-tier league in Slovakia, finishing third on the team in scoring with 30 points in 38 games. He last played in the AHL in 2023-24 before taking a leave of absence. That season, he had nine points in 24 games for the Utica Comets.

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