Introduction: A New Chapter After a Highly Publicized Trial
Nearly two years after criminal charges brought their professional hockey careers to a sudden halt, several former members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team are steadily re-entering the professional ranks. One of the latest to take that step is defenseman Cal Foote, who has signed an American Hockey League (AHL) contract with the Chicago Wolves.
The announcement, made Monday by the Wolves, marks another significant development in the aftermath of one of the most closely followed legal cases in Canadian hockey history. Foote is now the fourth of the five players who were acquitted of sexual assault charges to secure a professional contract since becoming eligible to play again.
For Foote, who will turn 27 soon, the deal represents more than just a roster spot on an AHL team. It is the beginning of a long and uncertain journey toward rebuilding a professional career that once seemed firmly established in the National Hockey League (NHL).
Cal Foote’s Path Back to Professional Hockey
From NHL Regular to Career in Limbo
Before legal proceedings derailed his career, Cal Foote was carving out a role as a reliable defenseman in the NHL. Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning and later acquired by the New Jersey Devils, Foote had gained a reputation as a steady, defensively responsible presence on the blue line.
His last NHL action came with the Devils during the 2023–24 season, including a game in March against the Dallas Stars. At the time, there was no public indication that his career was on the verge of a dramatic pause. That changed in early 2024, when Foote and several other former world junior teammates were formally charged in connection to an alleged incident that occurred in London, Ontario, in 2018.
With charges pending, his future in the league became uncertain. The Devils, along with the other NHL teams connected to the accused players, chose not to issue qualifying offers in the summer. As a result, Foote entered free agency, but was unable to sign as the case moved through the court system.
Cleared of Charges and Back on the Market
Following a lengthy legal process, Foote, along with his former teammates, was acquitted of all charges. In September, the NHL confirmed that the players would become eligible to sign contracts again starting October 15, with permission to return to game action as of December 1.
The timing of this ruling opened the door for teams to begin negotiating with the players. For Foote, that opportunity came in the form of an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves — an organization known for developing NHL-caliber talent.
While it is not an NHL deal, the contract provides Foote with a chance to return to high-level competition and once again demonstrate his skill, conditioning, and commitment. If successful, a strong showing in the AHL could eventually lead to another opportunity in the NHL.
Other Acquitted Players Resume Their Careers
Carter Hart Finds a Home With the Vegas Golden Knights
Among the group, goaltender Carter Hart was the first to secure a major contract after becoming eligible. In mid-October, Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights on an NHL deal, just days after the league reopened contract eligibility for the players.
Hart, who previously played for the Philadelphia Flyers, is expected to rejoin NHL game action as early as this week. His signing was one of the most significant indicators that teams were willing to move forward with the acquitted players and consider them once again for competitive roles.
His return to the NHL not only marked a turning point in his career, but also signaled a broader shift in how organizations were approaching the situation following the verdicts.
Michael McLeod Extends His Career in the KHL
Forward Michael McLeod, who was also cleared of a separate charge related to being party to the offense, has continued his professional journey overseas. In October, he signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), one of Europe’s most prominent professional hockey leagues.
McLeod actually spent the previous season in the KHL as well, initially signing with Barys Astana, a Kazakhstan-based team competing in the Russia-backed league. His decision to remain in the KHL suggests a desire to maintain a stable professional environment while rebuilding momentum in his career.
For McLeod, the move offers consistent playing time and a chance to re-establish himself as a top-level forward, away from the intense media exposure that still surrounds hockey in North America.
Alex Formenton’s Continued Presence in Switzerland
Alex Formenton took a different path even earlier. After his relationship with the Ottawa Senators came to an end in 2022, he signed with HC Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss Hockey League. He has remained with the organization ever since, maintaining a steady presence in European professional hockey.
Among the group, Formenton’s departure from the NHL came long before the legal case reached its conclusion. His time in Switzerland has kept him on the ice while removing him from the immediate spotlight of the North American media.
Though he has not returned to the NHL, his continued activity in one of Europe’s top leagues has allowed him to sustain his career and remain competitive.
Dillon Dube Remains Without a Team
Unlike the others, winger Dillon Dube has yet to sign with a team this season. He spent the 2024–25 campaign in the KHL with Dinamo Minsk, a Belarus-based club, but as of now, the 27-year-old remains without a contract.
Dube, formerly of the Calgary Flames, was one of the more recognized NHL players among those charged. His absence from a roster this season stands in contrast to the others who have already secured new professional opportunities.
Whether Dube signs later in the year or chooses a different path remains uncertain, but his situation highlights the varied outcomes that can follow such a high-profile legal and cultural moment in professional sports.
The 2018 Incident and Its Professional Impact
The original allegations stemmed from an incident in London, Ontario, in 2018, during celebrations related to Canada’s world junior hockey team. The case resurfaced years later and became the subject of intense scrutiny, both in the legal system and in the court of public opinion.
At the time charges were announced in early 2024, all of the accused players except Formenton were active members of NHL teams. Their careers came to a sudden standstill as the investigation proceeded:
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Cal Foote and Michael McLeod were playing for the New Jersey Devils.
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Carter Hart was with the Philadelphia Flyers.
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Dillon Dube was a member of the Calgary Flames.
All four teams declined to offer new contracts that summer, allowing the players to become free agents. The NHL, for its part, placed restrictions on their eligibility while the case was ongoing, further freezing their professional futures.
The official decision to reinstate eligibility in September represented a turning point, allowing teams to re-evaluate the players based on both legal outcomes and on-ice needs.
The Significance of Foote’s AHL Signing
More Than Just a Contract
Cal Foote’s signing with the Chicago Wolves holds meaning beyond his individual career. It reflects a gradual re-entry process for athletes whose names were once headline news for non-sporting reasons.
The AHL deal gives him a platform to perform, prove his fitness and consistency, and begin repairing a reputation built over years of dedication to the sport. It also serves as a test case of sorts for how fans, organizations, and the hockey world respond to players seeking second chances after legal exoneration.
For the Wolves, adding a player with Foote’s size, defensive ability, and NHL experience could strengthen their roster as the season progresses. For Foote, the opportunity is clear: perform well, stay focused, and let his play speak louder than the controversy that once surrounded him.
Conclusion: Hockey Careers Restart, But the Conversation Continues
Cal Foote’s return to professional hockey is another step in a complex and emotional chapter for Canadian and international hockey. While the legal process has concluded with acquittals, the broader conversations about accountability, culture in sports, and second chances continue across the hockey community.
For now, however, the focus for Foote and others is on moving forward—one shift, one game, and one season at a time. As the Chicago Wolves prepare to integrate him into their lineup, his journey back to the ice stands as a reminder of how quickly careers can change, and how determined athletes can be to reclaim the game that has defined their lives.
Whether Foote’s path leads back to the NHL or continues in the AHL, one thing is certain: his signing marks the beginning of a new chapter, and the hockey world will be watching closely as it unfolds.
