List of potential witnesses in Hockey Canada 2018 sexual assault trial includes Cale Makar, Drake Batherson, Robert Thomas and more

The trial involving five members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Championship team began on Tuesday morning in London, with a few current NHLers among those who have been called in as witnesses.

Former NHLers Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart are all facing one count of sexual assault, while Michael McLeod is facing two. Four of the five players were active NHLers as recently as last year, with Alex Formenton having last played in 2021-22. Dube and McLeod played in the KHL this season, while Foote played in Slovakia. Formenton and Hart have not played since being charged.

Per TSN’s Rick Westhead, lawyers for all five defendants have indicated their clients will plead not guilty.

According to Westhead, Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham read out a list of potential witnesses that could be included in the case on Tuesday morning. The list includes other players from the 2018 team, such as Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar, St. Louis Blues defender Robert Thomas and Ottawa Senators forward Drake Batherson.

Some of those players are currently competing in the Stanley Cup playoffs. None of them will be required to be physically present, and each can provide testimony via Zoom.

Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham read a list of potential witnesses in the case. Names read aloud included players Taylor Raddysh, Drake Batherson, Robert Thomas, Sam Steel, Maxime Comtois, Boris Katchouk, Brett Howden, Jonah Gadjovich, Dante Fabbro, Tyler Steenbergen, Conor…

— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) April 22, 2025

In June of 2018, the accused were in London, Ont., to celebrate Canada’s 2018 World Junior gold medal win. After the Hockey Canada event, members of the team attended a bar in downtown London, where they met the alleged victim (known only as E.M.). The alleged assault took place at a hotel in London.

None of the players have been formally convicted, with the trial expected to last around eight weeks.

E.M. is expected to give testimony during the trial, according to Westhead.

The NHL has previously said there would be no discipline dished out to the five accused players until the criminal case is resolved. All five are considered free agents.