Monday, February 16, 2026
ADVT 
National

Defence lawyers continue submissions at hockey players' sex assault trial

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 10 Jun, 2025 11:30 AM
  • Defence lawyers continue submissions at hockey players' sex assault trial

Defence lawyers for five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team are continuing to hammer at the credibility of the complainant as they make final submissions at the players' sexual assault trial.

A lawyer representing Alex Formenton is arguing that video evidence from the bar where the woman first encountered several of the players contradicts her testimony that she was plied with alcohol and separated from her friends, and that she was extremely intoxicated.

Daniel Brown has repeatedly argued the woman lied or embellished in her testimony, and that her account of what happened evolved over time.

Court heard submissions Monday from lawyers representing Michael McLeod and Carter Hart. 

McLeod's lawyer, David Humphrey, argued the complainant has presented an "entirely unbelievable and unreliable" version of the events at the heart of the trial.

McLeod, Hart, Formenton and their former teammates Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The charges relate to an encounter with a woman in a London, Ont., hotel room in June 2018, at a time when many of the team's members were in town for events celebrating their championship win.

Picture Courtesy: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nicole Osborne

MORE National ARTICLES

Trump grants auto tariff pause, tariffs on Canada remain after call with Trudeau

Trump grants auto tariff pause, tariffs on Canada remain after call with Trudeau
The Big Three automakers were able to secure a month-long tariff exemption on Wednesday after a conversation with U.S. President Donald Trump, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrapped a call to the Oval Office with no such guarantees for Canada. Trump has granted a one-month exemption for any vehicles coming through the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement on trade, also known as CUSMA.

Trump grants auto tariff pause, tariffs on Canada remain after call with Trudeau

Trump dismisses Canada's border efforts, accuses Trudeau of power grab

Trump dismisses Canada's border efforts, accuses Trudeau of power grab
In a post on Truth Social, Trump also says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau could not tell him in a phone conversation today when Canada's election will happen — and falsely accused Trudeau of trying to use tariffs to stay in power.

Trump dismisses Canada's border efforts, accuses Trudeau of power grab

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump spoke by phone

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump spoke by phone
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and U.S. President Donald Trump spoke by phone this afternoon about trade and fentanyl. A spokeswoman for the Prime Minister's Office confirms the call took place.

Prime Minister Trudeau and President Trump spoke by phone

Trump, tariffs overtake inflation as top concern for Canadians in new poll

Trump, tariffs overtake inflation as top concern for Canadians in new poll
A new poll suggests the trade war with the United States is now the biggest source of political concern for Canadians, knocking inflation out of the top spot. Leger says 28 per cent of Canadians believe dealing with President Donald Trump's tariffs and U.S. aggression is the most important challenge facing Canada today.

Trump, tariffs overtake inflation as top concern for Canadians in new poll

What people have to say about B.C.'s budget as the U.S. applies tariffs

What people have to say about B.C.'s budget as the U.S. applies tariffs
The British Columbia government released a budget Tuesday with Finance Minister Brenda Bailey saying it defends the province from an unfolding North American trade war triggered by U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs. Here's what people are saying about the B.C. government's budget: 

What people have to say about B.C.'s budget as the U.S. applies tariffs

Head-on crash injures child, two adults near Parksville

Head-on crash injures child, two adults near Parksville
Police say it was "miraculous" that no one was killed in a head-on collision that destroyed two vehicles near Parksville, B.C. A statement from B.C. Highway Patrol says three people, including a child, were taken to hospital after the crash Monday on Highway 19.

Head-on crash injures child, two adults near Parksville