Ex-Flyers goalie Carter Hart not present at pre-trial hearing for Hockey Canada scandal involvement: Report

Carter Hart, a former Philadelphia Flyers goalie, was absent at the pre-trial hearing for the Hockey Canada scandal. The hearing started on Monday in London, Ontario, involving allegations of sexual assault against players from Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey team.

Rick Westhead, a crime reporter shared the updates from the court on Monday.

"Three of the five former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team who have been charged with sexual assault are in court this morning to begin another round of pre-trial motions in their case," Westhead tweeted.

Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton and Dillon Dube attended the hearing with their lawyers. Seats in the courtroom were reserved for family and friends of the accused. Former NHL defensemen Cal Foote and Carter Hart were not present.

"Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, and Dillon Dube, each wearing a suit and sitting next to their respective lawyers, are in attendance at London's downtown courthouse. A section of seats in the courtroom has been reserved for the players' family and friends. Carter Hart and Cal Foote were not present as today's hearing began," Westhead reported.

Westhead shared that the pre-trial motions are expected to last three weeks according to a court clerk. A publication ban prevents media from reporting on the details discussed until the trial begins. The trial is scheduled to start on April 22, 2025.

Hart, McLeod, Dube, Formenton and Foote are charged with sexual assault. McLeod faces an extra charge for aiding someone else in the alleged offense. All five players have denied the allegations, and their lawyers stated they will plead not guilty.

Carter Hart was the Flyers' main goaltender, while McLeod and Dube were regular players for their NHL teams. Formenton played in Switzerland, and Foote spent most of last season in the AHL.

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Background of Hockey Canada 2018 scandal, involving Carter Hart and four others

In 2022, a woman accused eight players from Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey team of alleged sexual assault. She claimed one player brought her to a hotel room after a fundraising gala in London, Ontario, where seven others joined. She said the players intimidated her, forced her to shower and made her say on video she was sober.

Hockey Canada settled the lawsuit seeking $3.55 million in damages, which revealed secret funds used to pay settlements in abuse cases. London Police investigated in 2018 but closed the case in 2019 without charges. Public attention from the 2022 lawsuit led to the case being reopened. Five players were later charged.