A Canadian lawyer says players on the 2018 Canadian junior hockey team who face sexual assault charges could also face legal consequences from their respective teams.
Richard McLaren, an Ontario lawyer who wrote a report on state doping in Russia at the Olympics, said the players could be banned from the NHL for violating club and league codes of conduct.
He claims that even if the players are acquitted in court, the code of conduct put in place by the Players’ Association and clubs could prevent them from ever playing in the NHL again.
The Bettman Circuit conducted its own investigation into the sexual assault allegations, which were not proven in court.
Lawyers for the five players — Alex Formenton, Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube, Philadelphia Flyers goaltender Carter Hart, New Jersey Devils forward Michael McLeod and his teammate, defenseman Cal Foote — said their clients were going to plead not guilty.
Formenton, a former Ottawa Senators player who plays in Switzerland, surrendered to London police on Sunday.
The five players have left their professional team for an indefinite period.
NHL teams have redirected inquiries about these players to the NHL. The league did not immediately respond to a request for comment.