Cal Foote Signs with Chicago Wolves
In a significant development within the realm of professional hockey, defenseman Cal Foote has inked a contract with the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League (AHL), confirming his status as one of the few players to continue playing after being acquitted in connection with a high-profile sexual assault case involving members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team. The announcement of the deal came from the Chicago Wolves on Monday, coinciding with Foote approaching his 27th birthday.
Acquitted Players Navigating Their Careers
Foote joins a roster of acquitted players trying to navigate their careers post-acquittal. Notable among them is goaltender Carter Hart, who recently signed with the Vegas Golden Knights of the NHL shortly after he became eligible for new contracts in mid-October. Similarly, forward Michael McLeod, also acquitted in the same trial, secured a three-year contract with KHL’s Avangard Omsk this October, where he had played the previous season after an initial stint with Barys Astana in Kazakhstan.
Another key figure, Alex Formenton, has been actively competing in the Swiss Hockey League for HC Ambri-Piotta since 2022, following the Ottawa Senators’ decision not to renew his contract. Meanwhile, Dillon Dube, who last season played with KHL’s Dinamo Minsk in Belarus, has yet to participate in the current season.
Background on Charges and Free Agency
All these players, hitting critical points in their careers, faced charges in early 2024 related to a 2018 incident in London, Ontario. At that time, Foote and McLeod were part of the New Jersey Devils roster, Hart played for the Philadelphia Flyers, and Dube represented the Calgary Flames. None of these teams opted to extend qualifying offers, allowing the players to enter free agency.
Following the league’s announcement in September that they could sign contracts starting October 15 with play eligibility beginning on December 1, Hart is expected to make his debut with the Golden Knights imminently, possibly as soon as Tuesday.
