5 Pro Hockey Players Accused Of Gang SA But They Argue She Had Fantasy Of “Doing The Whole Team”

In a high-profile case shaking the ice hockey world, several players face allegations of sexual assault after a gala event. The victim, referred to as Em or M, has recounted a harrowing ordeal involving manipulation, aggression, and coercion.

Victim Alleges Hotel Room Sexual Assault by Hockey Players After Gala

M claims that her initial consensual relations with Michael McCloud were followed by an onslaught of pressure and physical assaults by his teammates. After first engaging with McCloud consensually, the situation degraded as she was subjected to further non-consensual acts involving other players.

M Claims Consensual Relations With Michael Mccloud Were Followed by Pressure to Perform Oral Sex On Other Players and Physical Assault

Michael McCloud stands accused as the primary instigator in the alleged assault, which purportedly extended over two hours. He is charged not only with sexual assault but also with orchestrating the event. M testified that after having consensual relations with him, she felt pressured to perform oral sex on other players, including Alex Formanton, Carter Hart, and Dylan Dubé, and was subjected to physical assault. Three players reportedly received oral sex from her before the situation was deemed out of control and they left. Cal Foot, although not one of the three, is linked to the group arrested on assault charges.

M Felt Trapped as Players Prevented Her Exit

Intoxication Memory Gaps, Recalls Commands for Sexual Acts and Violation

The victim walked into the bathroom feeling drunk and shocked and was unsure what to do upon finding more players in the room. She recalls being commanded to perform acts like "suck it" and "spit on it," feeling violated as someone spat on her and slapped her. The intense energy in the room made her fearful, and suggestions of using golf equipment in a sexually abusive manner further heightened her distress.

M remembers being unable to leave the room and feeling trapped as the players blocked her exit. They made comments, such as "come on, we're just having fun," and prevented her from leaving, especially when she cried. There were even two videos purportedly showing M stating “it was all consensual,” but questions arise about the context in which they were recorded, given her vulnerable state.

In Michael McCloud's statement to the main detective, ...

The trial faced significant challenges related to allegations of bias, resulting ultimately in two jury panels being dismissed and a judge-only trial.

Trial Hindered by Bias: Two Jury Panels Dismissed

During the jury selection process, an incident arose in which the defense attorney was accused of inappropriate conduct toward a juror. Despite the defense attorney's denial, stating it was an unrelated case discussion and describing the encounter as awkward, the first day's jurors were all dismissed. A note from one of the second jury panel's jurors, which predominantly consisted of women, voiced concern over the defense attorneys observing and laughing at jurors. Consequently, this second jury was also dismissed due to concerns of negative bias against the defense attorneys.

Defense Chooses Judge Over Jury, Citing Bias Concerns

The defense argued that the perceived negative bias towards them could impact the case. After the dismissal of the second jury, the defense proposed that the judge alone decide the verdict rather than putting the victim through another cross-examination. Although expressing disappointment at forfeiting a jury of peers for their clients, the defense opted for a judge-only trial, speculating that a jury might be biased due to being overly understanding of sexual trauma.

Judge Acquits Five, Criticizes Victim's Credibility

Ultimately, the judge acquitted all five professional ice hockey players of all charges, finding the evidence of the victim, referred to as "M," not credible or reliable. The judge argued that the victim's testimony, when examined against the entirety of the evidence, did not meet the burden of proof for any of the counts.

Judge Claimed Vic ...

Hockey is well-known for its physicality and fighting has been a longstanding part of the sport’s culture. Stephanie Soo describes the sport as dangerous, where players can incur injuries from collisions, pucks, sticks, and skates. She notes that fights, typically regulated and overseen by referees, are an accepted and even expected occurrence in games.

Fighting and Physical Altercations Are Common in Hockey, With Players Allowed "Regulated" Fistfights

Stephanie Soo illustrates the commonality of fighting in hockey by referencing a fight involving Michael McLeod. She’s surprised to see that referees allow fights to occur, indicating that fistfights are an integrated part of the sport. In the NHL, players are allowed to engage in fistfights, and the rules are set to maintain control, such as limits on the number of fights per game and restrictions on who can be challenged. Instead of ejection, players receive a five-minute penalty for fistfighting.

Referees play a role in managing these confrontations. They make sure that no one else interferes, clear any hazardous items, and break up the fight at an appropriate time. There are also specific rules to ensure fairness, like forbidding fights with goalkeepers unless they initiate. Players toss gloves to signal intent to fight, and fights are meant to deter dangerous play since players are accountable for their actions. There is criticism, however, against "turtling," or not fighting back, which can amuse audiences but diminish a player's respect among teammates.

Fighting Deemed Necessary to Protect Players and Enforce Sportsmanship

Fights are often seen as a necessary part of hockey, where enforcers, hired for their fighting skills, would protect star players. These altercations are sometimes viewed as enforcing sportsmanship by responding to aggressive actions on the ice. The idea is that fights serve as disincentives for dangerous or dirty play, making players think twice about engaging in conduct that could lead to a confrontation. The traditional role of enforcers was to help maintain safety and fairness in the game, intervening in cases of dirty plays.

Fighting is also regarded as a method of maintaining the integrity of the sport, with the risk of brawls deterring players from unsafe actions like checking opponents from behind near the boards, which could lead to serious injuries like concussions. The culture around fighting treats these instances as a form of rule enforcement and standing up for one's teammates. Travis Sanheim's first fight is portrayed as a celebrated moment, signaling a culture of acceptance for fighting as a rite of passage and a tenet of sportsmanship.

Violence Normalization in Hockey May Overlook Sexual Misconduct

Despite the ...

Accused Players: Prominent Junior Prospects, Future NHL Stars

The accused hockey players are identified as promising talents in the sport, with potential aspirations for NHL stardom. Players like McCloud, Formanton, and Hart come from successful backgrounds in ice hockey and have been considered talented with bright futures ahead before the allegations emerged.

Players Like Mccloud, Formanton, and Hart Were Top Talents Before Allegations

Stephanie Soo underscores that Michael McLeod was one of the fastest skaters of the 2016 draft class, a natural leader who played for the New Jersey Devils. His prowess in the sport is exemplified by his ranking as the 13th among North American skaters and being a polarizing pick in the draft. McLeod signed with the New Jersey Devils from 2016 to 2023, earning around $4.61 million during this period.

Alex Formanton, another fast skater during his draft, signed with the Ottawa Senators on a lucrative contract. Carter Hart signed with the Philadelphia Flyers, and estimates suggest he has made approximately $14 million in his career so far. Dylan Dubé, known for his leadership as the team captain, has also signed significant contracts with the Calgary Flames totaling around $9.2 million. The accusation of these athletes does not just involve rookies but those who have achieved a level of success and recognition in ice hockey.

Players' Success and Privilege in Hockey May Foster a Sense Of Being Above Accountability

Defense: Allegations Could Unfairly Derail Players' Promising Careers

The podcast raises the concern that the financial success and prestige of the accused players may give them a sense of privilege and a feeling of being above accountability. This attitude is implied through their discussions of strategy to protect their public image and careers.

For example, Michael McCloud, who has attained considerable success, including winning the world championship for junior league ice hockey, and the other accused players are recognized as "five pro-level athletes." Their discussions indicate an attempt to mitigate the potential damage to their public reputations and professional careers.

The athletes have financial stability, with NHL careers generating millions in contracts. The average NHL professional, out of the 32 teams and with half the players being Ca ...