Five Canada 2018 World Juniors Players Face Sexual Assault Charges

Five players from Canada‘s 2018 World Juniors team have been directed to report to police in London, Ont., to face charges of sexual assault, according to a report by The Globe and Mail. The charges stem from an alleged incident in June 2018 involving players from the 2018 team and a woman referred to as E.M.

The unidentified players have been given a period of time to surrender to the London Police Service, according to sources. The report has not been independently confirmed by TSN.

A spokesperson for the London Police Service declined to comment on the news report, stating that they are unable to provide an update at this time.

The allegations, which surfaced in May 2022 when TSN reported a settlement in a $3.55 million lawsuit filed by E.M. against Hockey Canada, the Canadian Hockey League (CHL), and eight unnamed former CHL players, have had a significant impact on Canadian sports. Following the report, a parliamentary committee initiated hearings to demand more information from Hockey Canada regarding the case and its handling of sexual assault allegations. The revelations led to the departure of Hockey Canada’s board and top executives, as well as the loss of sponsors.

In July 2022, the London Police Service reopened the investigation into the case after initially closing it without laying charges in February 2019. Court documents obtained by The Globe and Mail in December 2022 indicated that five former Team Canada players were believed to have committed criminal offenses, while other players were listed as witnesses. The investigation is still ongoing.