Goaltender Carter Hart faces an extended international absence after an independent appeal board upheld his breach of Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, keeping him barred from national team programs through November 2027. According to Hockey Canada, the ruling concludes a lengthy appeal process tied to an independent adjudicative panel’s November 2023 report concerning the 2018 Canadian world junior hockey team.
The disciplinary action stems from an incident at a London, Ontario, hotel in 2018. While Hart, along with Cal Foote, Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod, and Alex Formenton, was acquitted in a July 2025 criminal sexual assault case, Hockey Canada proceeded with its own internal investigation. The organization’s independent panel subsequently determined that all five players breached code of conduct policies.
Under the finalized appeal decision announced by Hockey Canada, the penalized players face varying timelines before they can rejoin sanctioned programs:
- Michael McLeod: Suspended through November 10, 2030
- Dillon Dubé: Suspended through November 10, 2028
- Carter Hart: Suspended through November 10, 2027
- Cal Foote: Suspended through November 10, 2026
- Alex Formenton: Reinstated immediately
The ruling leaves Hart’s path back to international competition closed for more than another year. The 27-year-old goaltender signed with the Vegas Golden Knights during the offseason following a stint with the Philadelphia Flyers during the 2025–26 season. While his National Hockey League career continues without interruption from this specific ruling, his international eligibility remains restricted.
Hockey Canada confirmed that no other members of the 2018 national junior roster were found to have breached the organization’s code of conduct. Those remaining players are eligible for selection immediately, though the national body applies strict screening measures for international competition.
Any player under consideration to represent Canada internationally must now complete an enhanced screening process. This protocol requires an independent third party to review historical findings connected to the 2018 team before any player can officially wear the Canadian jersey.
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