A judge has acquitted five former members of Canada's 2018 world junior ice hockey team of sexual assault charges related to an incident in a hotel room that year. Justice Maria Carroccia ruled that the complainant's evidence was not credible or reliable and that the Crown did not prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt. The accused players include Formenton, Hart, Foote, and Dube among others. The trial began in April 2025 and attracted national attention. Following the verdict, the National Hockey League Players' Association (NHLPA) stated that the acquitted players should be allowed to return to their professional careers. However, the National Hockey League (NHL) declared that the five players are currently ineligible to play. The judge's full verdict has been made public, and the case has sparked strong reactions in court and across Canada. Justice Carroccia presided over the trial and delivered the verdict on July 24, 2025.