Carter Hart named among NHL players charged in sexual assault case

Carter Hart, Canadian professional ice hockey goalie for the Philadelphia Flyers has been named among five National Hockey League (NHL) players who have been charged in a 2022 sexual assault case, NBC Sports reported.

Other than Hart, the players include, the Calgary Flame's Dillon Dube, the New Jersey Devils' Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Hockey club Ambrì-Piotta's Alex Formenton.

The lawsuit filed against Hockey Canada — the national governing body of ice hockey and ice sledge hockey in the country — alleged that members of the 2018 under-20 world junior team sexually assaulted a young woman in June 2018 in London, Ontario.

The NHL opened an investigation in May 2022, stating it would "endeavour to determine the underlying facts and, to the extent this may involve players who are now in the NHL, we will determine what action, if any, would be appropriate."

In September 2022, Hart said he was "fully cooperating" and "respecting the process" with the NHL's investigation.

They were in Switzerland playing professionally when they were called to London, Ontario.

As per reports, Hart, Dube, McLeod, Foote, and Formenton had all recently taken leaves of absence from their respective clubs.

Flyers general manager Danny Briere said: "We will respond appropriately when the outcomes of the investigations are made public. The NHL has been very clear that teams should refer all investigation-related questions to them.

"In the meantime, members of the organisation, including Flyers players, will not be commenting any further."