A stunning turn of events unfolded in the highly publicized sexual assault trial involving five former stars of Canada’s world junior hockey team as a judge declared a mistrial just after the prosecution began its case.

The Ontario Superior Court, presided over by Justice Maria Carrocci, made the unexpected decision on Friday, immediately dismissing the original jury and mandating the selection of a new one. The specific reasons behind this bold move remain shrouded in secrecy due to a publication ban.

The accused players—Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, and Alex Formenton—who once showcased their talents in the NHL, have all pleaded not guilty, leaving their futures hanging in the balance.

What Led to the Mistrial?

Eyewitnesses in the courtroom reported that prior to the mistrial announcement, Justice Carrocci mentioned to the jury that "something happened over the lunch hour" that required further consideration with the lawyers. The specifics of this situation, as well as the ensuing discussions, were not disclosed to the jurors and are also covered by the publication ban.

Following the mistrial declaration, the new jury selection commenced, and the retrial is set to kick off on Monday, with an expected duration of around eight weeks.

The Backstory of the Allegations

This case ties back to an alleged sexual assault that occurred in 2018, following a fundraising event hosted by Hockey Canada in London, Ontario. A 24-year-old woman accused eight players from the world junior team of assaulting her in a hotel room.

In her lawsuit, the woman claimed she felt pressured not to report the assault to law enforcement, highlighting deep-seated issues within both the hockey world and the organization itself.

Hockey Canada's Response and Fallout

The scandal escalated when sports network TSN disclosed in May 2022 that Hockey Canada had quietly settled with the woman, igniting a national controversy. This revelation led to severe repercussions for Hockey Canada, which lost federal funding and several major sponsorships amid public outrage.

In response to the mounting pressure, London police reopened their investigation and publicly apologized for their delayed action, which left many questioning the integrity of the system.

Legal Implications Moving Forward

Under Canadian law, a sexual assault conviction can result in a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, making the stakes incredibly high for the accused players.

As this gripping saga continues to unfold, many are left wondering how the legal proceedings will impact the future of hockey in Canada and the culture surrounding the sport.