Cal Foote has inked a deal with the Chicago Wolves in the American Hockey League, becoming one of the acquitted players from the high-profile sexual assault trial involving members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team to secure his future in the sport. The agreement with the soon-to-be 27-year-old defenseman was confirmed by the team on Monday. Shortly after the eligibility window for new contracts opened, goaltender Carter Hart signed with the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights in mid-October.
Forward Michael McLeod, who was also cleared of an additional charge related to the assault, signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL back in October. McLeod had already played for the team last season after initially joining the Russia-based league with Barys Astana in Kazakhstan.
Alex Formenton has been competing for HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss Hockey League since 2022 following his departure from the Ottawa Senators. On the other hand, Dillon Dube spent the 2024-25 season with the KHL’s Dinamo Minsk in Belarus, but the 27-year-old winger has not been active in the current season.
Except for Formenton, all the players were part of the NHL when they were accused in early 2024 in connection to an incident in London, Ont., dating back to 2018. Foote and McLeod were affiliated with New Jersey, Hart with Philadelphia, and Dube with Calgary at the time of the allegations. Following the lack of qualifying offers from their respective teams that summer, the players transitioned into free agency. The NHL later announced their eligibility to sign on Oct. 15 and commence play on Dec. 1, potentially paving the way for Hart’s debut with Vegas as early as the upcoming Tuesday.