Pretrial hearing Thursday for former junior hockey players

Ottawa Senators' Alex Formenton, New Jersey Devils defenceman Cal Foote, New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod, Calgary Flames centre Dillon Dube, and Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart. The five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team who are charged with sexual assault in a 2018 incident in London, Ont., have chosen to be tried by a jury. (The Canadian Press)

Lawyers representing each of the five former Team Canada World Junior hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside a London, Ont. hotel room arrived at the Ontario Superior Courthouse on Thursday morning.

The players were granted permission by Justice Bruce Thomas not to attend pre-trial motion hearings.

On his way into the courthouse, lawyer David M. Humphrey said his client Michael McLeod, is playing hockey in the Russian-based KHL.

Sept. 5 and 6 have been scheduled to hear pre-trial motions.

In general, pre-trial motions determine which evidence is admissible and other procedural decisions intended to focus the trial on relevant matters.

Matters discussed during pre-trial proceedings are subject to a publication ban.

A publication ban also protects the identity of the woman and witnesses.

Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and Michael McLeod each face one count of sexual assault. McLeod also faces a charge of being a party to an offence.

Eight weeks have been set aside for a jury trial starting on September 8, 2025.

On June 19, 2018 the players attended a Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf tournament in London following their gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championship.

Four of the players had contracts with NHL teams when charges were laid earlier this year, Formenton had spent time in the NHL but was playing in Europe at the time.

Legal representatives of all five men have publicly declared their innocence.