NHL commissioner on 2018 World Junior case | CityNews Calgary

The NHL will look ahead to the judicial course of to play out earlier than making any selections about gamers going through sexual assault expenses in a 2018 case involving gamers from Canada’s world junior staff that 12 months, Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned Friday.

Bettman addressed the scenario at All-Star Weekend days after 4 present NHL gamers had been charged by police in London, Ontario, with sexual assault. He referred to as the allegations “abhorrent, reprehensible, horrific and unacceptable.”

Carter Hart of the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote of the New Jersey Devils, and Dillon Dube of the Calgary Flames are all on indefinite go away from their groups. Bettman mentioned the league doesn’t contemplate it essential to droop the gamers with out pay for the remainder of the season.

“At this stage, the most responsible and prudent thing for us to do is await the conclusion of the judicial proceedings, at which point we will respond as appropriate at the time,” Bettman mentioned.

Hart, McLeod, Foote and Dube are at the moment being paid. Bettman identified that each one 4 wouldn’t have contracts past this season. Former NHL participant Alex Formenton has additionally been charged.

Attorneys for all 5 gamers have mentioned their purchasers are harmless. London Police have scheduled a Monday news convention to offer an replace on the case.

The NHL launched its personal investigation in 2022 and pledged to launch the findings. Bettman mentioned that investigation took roughly 12 months, ending up final summer season. Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly added that nothing will probably be launched whereas the case is ongoing.