Pretrial arguments in sexual assault case of ex-Canadian world junior hockey players underway in London

WARNING: This article references sexual assault and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it.

Five hockey players charged with sexual assault in a case dating back to 2018, when they were members of Canada's gold-medal-winning world junior team, weren't in court Thursday when pretrial legal arguments began in London, Ont.

Two days have been set aside this week in Ontario Superior Court for the legal arguments, with proceedings under a publication ban. Usually, accused individuals attend pretrial motions, but the men in this case — who've all had NHL careers — have been granted permission to not attend. 

The charges are tied to an alleged group sexual assault of a woman in a player's hotel room following a Hockey Canada Foundation gala and golf event on June 19, 2018. The identities of the woman as well as two witnesses are also protected under a publication ban.

At the time they were charged early this year, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote were with the New Jersey Devils, Dillon Dubé was with the Calgary Flames and Carter Hart was with the Philadelphia Flyers. Their NHL contracts expired in July. Former NHLer Alex Formenton was playing in Switzerland.

Recently, McLeod and Dubé signed contracts to play in the Russia-based Kontinental Hockey League (KHL). 

"I think it's a matter of public record that [Michael McLeod] is playing in the KHL, and so with the permission of the court, he's playing overseas, and at least for today and tomorrow he will not be in attendance," said lawyer David Humphrey, who is representing McLeod, outside of the courthouse in London, Ont., on Thursday.

The five are expected to plead not guilty and have requested a jury trial, which has been