Former Kelowna Rockets Dillon Dube and Cal Foote have been charged in connection with an alleged sexual assault by several members of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, according to the Associated Press (AP).
Michael McLeod of the New Jersey Devils and Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers have also been charged AP reported on Jan. 30.
The incident allegedly occurred during a Hockey Canada event in London, Ont. in June 2018.
Attorneys representing the four players said Tuesday that each has been charged with sexual assault by police in London. They denied any wrongdoing on behalf of their clients.
Dube’s lawyers, Louis Strezos and Kayleigh Davidson said their client “maintains his innocence (and) will defend the allegations in court.”
Foote’s lawyer, Julianna Greenspan, said her client was “innocent of the charge and will defend himself against this allegation to clear his name.”
All the players have taken a leave of absence from their current NHL clubs.
Dube’s team, the Calgary Flames, announced on Jan. 21 that they were granting him indefinite leave so he could address his mental health.
This latest development comes days after former NHL player Alex Formenton surrendered to police in London to face charges.
“Alex will vigorously defend his innocence and asks that people not rush to judgment without hearing all of the evidence,” his lawyer Attorney Daniel Brown said.
London Police have scheduled a news conference for Feb. 5 to address the situation.
Court documents state a woman, who was 20 years old at the time of the alleged assault, stated that a man, identified as “John Doe #1,” took her from a bar to a hotel room and invited seven other people into the room to perform undisclosed sexual acts, intimidating her and preventing her from leaving.
The woman sought $3.55 million in damages and dropped the lawsuit after a settlement was reached with Hockey Canada.
Black Press reached out to the Kelowna Rockets, as Dube and Foote were playing for the team during the 2017-18 season, and was told that since the matter is before the courts the team would not be commenting on the situation.
With files from The Canadian Press
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