The Cornell 7 case has brought the Hockey Canada 5 back into the spotlight, renewing questions about how sexual assault allegations are handled when the accused are connected to prominent institutions or professional sports.

The Hockey Canada 5 case began in 2018, when a woman alleged that members of Canada’s world junior hockey team sexually assaulted her following a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ontario. The allegations became public in 2022 after Hockey Canada disclosed that it had used funds to settle a lawsuit filed by the woman.

Hockey Canada faced widespread criticism over its handling of the allegations. Five players — Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dubé, Cal Foote and Michael McLeod — were charged. All five pleaded not guilty and were acquitted in July 2025. 

Since then, Hart has signed with the Vegas Golden Knights and Dubé signed with the St. Louis Blues over the summer. Formenton signed a one-year contract with the Edmonton Oilers in September 2026. Their return to professional hockey has sparked debate about whether acquittals should end public scrutiny of the players and the organizations that employ them.

DePaul journalism professor Evan F. Moore, co-author of “Game Misconduct: Hockey’s Toxic Culture and How to Fix It,” said the situation could send young male athletes the message that fame protects them from consequences. 

“It tells people a lot of things. It tells women that they are easily discarded,” Moore said. “It tells athletes, ‘Hey, are you going to get in trouble for doing something wrong? Probably not.’”

The Cornell 7 case has continued these discussions. The case involves allegations against seven current and former Cornell University fraternity members involving an alleged sexual assault in 2024. A civil lawsuit filed in 2026 brought attention to the allegations and the university’s response. 

For professional athletes, the debate extends beyond the courtroom. Teams must decide whether to offer contracts, while fans and sponsors weigh their support for players whose names remain associated with controversial cases. 

Some fans are not convinced that the five players should be cleared to play. 

“It’s shameful that they are still playing in the NHL,” said Micah Lee, a hockey player for Snider Hockey and NHL fan based in Philadelphia. “Not only that, but young girls and women are trying to get into the sport of hockey. If those players are in the league, it’s a bad look.” 

Although the five players were acquitted in criminal court, in September 2025, the NHL said their conduct fell short of the standards expected of league personnel. The statement also said the players could sign contracts starting on Oct. 15, 2025. They would be eligible to play in NHL games on Dec. 1, 2025. 

Hockey Canada pursued a separate disciplinary process. In August 2026, an independent appeal board upheld findings that the players had violated the organization’s code of conduct and issued suspensions based on each player’s role in the crime and individual conduct. Formenton was immediately reinstated under Hockey Canada’s rules, Dubé is suspended until November and Hart’s suspension is set to continue until November 2027.

Formenton’s return to the NHL has drawn particular attention. The decision prompted criticism, including a petition opposing the signing that attracted 74,255 signatures.

Both cases highlight the distinctions between criminal proceedings and the standards applied by employers or a professional organization. An acquittal means a person was not found guilty of the criminal charges, but it does not necessarily end debate about institutional responsibility or public trust. 

“In a society like this, we consistently see men like this face no consequences for any crime or moral failure,” said Steve Taylor, a graduate journalism student at DePaul. “It’s critical to hold people accountable regardless of status.”

While the Cornell and Hockey Canada cases involve different allegations and legal circumstances, both raise questions about whether fame, financial value or institutional reputation influences how organizations respond to allegations of misconduct.

As the Cornell investigation continues, the return of Hockey Canada players to professional hockey leaves a broader question: Are well-known people held to the same standards as everyone else, or does their status change how accountability works?

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