Hockey Canada trial verdict: Five junior team players found not guilty in 2018 encounter
CBS2 days
All Five Hockey Canada Players Acquitted in Sexual Assault Case
Above: Alex Formenton arrives at the London Courthouse, in London, Ontario, Canada on July 24, 2025. Image copyright: Cole Burston/Getty Images
The Spin
Left narrative
This was a missed moment in the national conversation of the role of hockey in Canadian society and how it enables its stars to act with impunity. Hockey culture is imbued with sexism, heavy alcohol use and sexual entitlement and objectification. More than just the players, hockey culture itself should have been on trial, which will instead continue unreformed. This is a sad day for sexual violence victims.
Right narrative
The judge rendered the correct verdict, as the evidence overwhelmingly supports the account of the players. Sadly, however, the activist class will never accept the verdict and insist on the untenable "believe all women" standard even in the case where the accuser revokes consent after the fact. The focus should be on supporting real victims, while also acknowledging the complexities of situations where consent and communication may be disputed.