Hockey Canada upholds and extends disciplinary suspensions for four players, despite their acquittal in a 2025 sexual assault trial. An appeals panel finds the players violated Hockey Canada’s code of conduct, and the organization continues the suspension terms rather than fully reinstating them.
The outlets describe the decision as centered on Hockey Canada’s governance process, separate from the criminal court outcome. Yahoo Sports says the appeals ruling affects when the players can return, including implications for international play. The Japan Times reports Hockey Canada accepts the board’s recommendations, including the reinstatement dates for the five players involved in the broader disciplinary review, indicating the organization follows internal review findings even after court acquittals.
Overall, both accounts agree that the suspensions persist and are tied to Hockey Canada’s code-of-conduct enforcement, while differing details focus on the appeals-panel characterization of the violation and the timing and scope of eligibility for play.
