As the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial continues in a London, Ontario courtroom, Wednesday’s proceedings featured key witness testimony, explicit video evidence, and group messages involving five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team, all of whom have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges.
The Accused and the Allegations
Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote are facing charges related to an alleged sexual assault of a woman, referred to in court as E.M., that took place on June 18–19, 2018 at the Delta Armouries Hotel in London. McLeod faces an additional charge of sexual assault as a party to the offence. All five men deny the charges.
The woman alleges that multiple players sexually assaulted her after meeting McLeod and others at Jack’s Bar following a Hockey Canada gala.
Surveillance and Phone Video Evidence
London Police detective Tiffany Waque resumed her testimony Wednesday, presenting hours of surveillance footage and phone videos from the night in question. Court saw videos from McLeod’s and Drake Batherson’s phones, as well as hotel security footage.
Key moments included:
- McLeod and E.M. leaving the bar at 1:45 a.m., then walking through the hotel lobby two minutes later.
- Multiple players, including Hart, Formenton, Dube, and Foote, entering the hotel at different times between 2:23 a.m. and 3:13 a.m.
- A video taken at 3:25 a.m. showing E.M. clothed in a hotel room. A male voice asks, “You’re OK with this, though, right?” to which she responds, “Yeah, I’m OK.”
- A second video from 4:26 a.m. shows E.M. wrapped in a towel, saying: “This was all consensual. I enjoyed it. Are you filming this?… I’m so sober. That’s why I can’t do this right now.”
Prosecutor Heather Donkers urged jurors to pay attention to both what was said and what was not said in the videos, which will be central to the Crown’s case regarding consent and power dynamics.
Group Chats and Controversial Texts
Screenshots from a team group chat showed a message from McLeod’s phone at 2:10 a.m. asking, “Who wants to be in 3 way quick,” followed by a reply from Hart’s number, saying, “I’m in.” These messages suggest potential coordination among players.
The court also heard about Instagram and text messages between players and E.M., which will be addressed in future testimony.
Testimony from NHL Player Taylor Raddysh
Washington Capitals forward Taylor Raddysh, who was also on the 2018 team, testified by video. He admitted being invited to McLeod’s room and briefly entering, where he saw a woman in one of the beds. He said he did not stay long and returned to his own room, which he believed was next door.
When presented with a text from McLeod at 2:15 a.m. asking if he wanted to come up for a “gummer,” Raddysh confirmed in court that the slang referred to oral sex.
Raddysh also confirmed that he sent a message on June 26, 2018, to McLeod saying, “Bully just called me… said there’s an investigation,” referring to Hockey Canada manager Shawn Bullock. When asked to clarify, Raddysh said the investigation was about “that night in London.”
Cross-Examination and Defense Strategy
Defense attorney Daniel Brown, representing Formenton, grilled Det. Waque on whether she knew exactly how much alcohol the complainant consumed or what the interior of the bar looked like. Brown also noted that Formenton, then 18, did not enter the bar, as Ontario’s drinking age is 19.
This line of questioning appears aimed at raising doubt about timelines, participant locations, and the extent of the complainant’s intoxication.
What’s Next?
Taylor Raddysh will continue his testimony on Thursday. As the trial unfolds, additional players and law enforcement officials are expected to take the stand, and more digital evidence will be introduced, including messages and possible video content taken in the days following the alleged assault.
The Hockey Canada trial continues to reveal troubling evidence and testimony, painting a detailed and complex picture of what may have occurred during and after the 2018 gala event. With high-profile names involved and intense public scrutiny, this case is not only about the allegations themselves, but about power, consent, and accountability in elite sports culture. The trial is expected to continue over the coming weeks, with further witness statements and cross-examinations scheduled.
