The Hockey Canada trial: A Special Canadian True Crime series

Aug 2

A special four-part series.

In this miniseries, we take a deep dive into the Hockey Canada trial of 2025. What began as a major sporting scandal resulted in one of the most complicated sexual assault trials the country has ever seen, with all five accused players found not guilty of all charges at trial.

Drawing on the judge’s written decision, trial reporting, survivor perspectives and more, we trace the impossible timeline, conflicting testimony and how the young woman at the centre of it all was treated throughout.

While the judge’s verdicts are not in dispute, the way the evidence was reflected in the written decision raises deeper questions about how our courts handle sexual assault — and how the impact will extend far beyond this trial.

Content Warning: Graphic details of sexual acts.

Part 1: Surviving the Hockey Canada trial

As the country reacted to the Hockey Canada trial verdicts, sexual assault survivors J.B. and Kelly Favro join Kristi to reflect on what they saw unfolding in the trial.

How the trial mirrored their own experiences at trial
The reality of what victim-complainant E.M. might have been going through
Eye-opening details about shocking courtroom tactics they've endured

A challenge to rethink what justice really means.

Additional content warning: While not the focus of this episode, there is brief mention of suicidal thoughts. Please take care when listening.

Part 2: Analyzing the Hockey Canada trial

The flaws in the first police investigation - and why it didn't result in charges
Michael McLeod's instagram exchange with EM the day after the hotel room incident
The "group chat" six days later that appears to show the hockey players trying to get their stories straight
The series of debacles that resulted in this jury trial switching to judge-alone
Survivors JB and Kelly Favro return to share their perspectives on the public comments about EM, and what it feels like to watch this case unfold not only as survivors — but also as massive hockey fans.

Part 3: Analyzing the Hockey Canada trial

What the “Junior Hockey Bible” tell us about the dark underbelly of hockey culture, and other sexual assault allegations in Canadian junior hockey
The various evidence related to Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart
EM’s version of events - and why she reacted the way she did

Part 4 (coming up later):

The various evidence related to Dillion Dube and Callan Foote
The Alleged Slap and The Splits
Brett Howden's highly controversial testimony
The judge’s legal conclusion about what happened in Room 209
Our moral conclusion

More information and resources:

Listen to our series:
Kelly Favro’s Story
The Trial of Jacob Hoggard (JB)
Read J.B.’s Op-Ed:
When aggressive tactics are praised as legal strategy, it’s survivors like me who pay the price - The Globe and Mail.
OR No paywall
Learn about Beyond The Verdict
A new Canadian survivor-led advocacy group co-founded by Kelly Favro and J.B. with support from Kristi Lee.
Resources for Sexual Violence and Abuse:
If you or anyone you know is experiencing sexual violence and abuse, help is available at REES Community or Ending Violence Canada - Sexual Assault Centres, Crisis Lines and Support Services

SOURCES:

Collection of articles by Rick Westhead for TSN

Court Document:
2025 ONSC 4319 (CanLII) | R. v. McLeod, et al. | CanLII

News Archives:
https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada-chl-settle-lawsuit-over-alleged-sexual-assault-involving-world-junior-players-1.1804861

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-verdict-what-to-know/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-timeline-key-events/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/london/rape-crisis-centre-calls-rise-world-juniors-trial-london-1.755083

https://www.lawnow.org/sexual-assault-is-on-the-rise-in-canada/

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/hockey-canada-toxic-culture-criminal-trial

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/article-nhl-to-review-hockey-canada-verdict/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-gary-bettman-wont-say-if-hockey-canada-players-on-trial-for-sexual/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/29/canada-hockey-sexual-assault-case-analysis?

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-trial-missteps-london-nhl/

https://globalnews.ca/news/11299849/timeline-sexual-assault-allegations-world-junior-hockey-players/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sex-assault-trial-closing-arguments/

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-verdict-what-to-know/

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/rick-westhead-crown-says-mcleod-lied-to-police-about-alleged-incident-in-london-hotel-room-1.2320162

https://www.thestar.com/news/hockey-canada-complainant-says-she-took-on-porn-star-persona-because-it-seemed-like-that/article_897d0f4b-ea00-48f1-bd0f-de5bd6fb217e.html

https://www.thestar.com/news/my-truth-what-we-heard-from-the-hockey-canada-sex-assault-complainant-in-nine-days/article_96470133-1fd3-47ae-907a-be4e88dbd364.html

https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/judge-rules-brett-howden-text-message-inadmissible-at-london-hockey-trial-1.2310910

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-verdict-reader-questions/

Natalie Portman opens up about experiencing "sexual terrorism" after starring in 'Leon' at 13

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/hockey-canada-london-sexual-assault-trial-timeline-1.7553242

Flawed initial investigation:
Hockey Canada sex-assault trial spotlights roadblocks and missed opportunities in first London police probe - The Globe and Mail

Inside the police investigations into the Hockey Canada case

Group chat:
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6359509/2025/05/15/hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-player-texts/

https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/rick-westhead-steenbergen-details-calls-from-foote-dube-during-hockey-canada-investigation-1.2306466

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/i-apologize-for-being-sarcastic-judge-prosecutor-spar-over-meaning-of-hockey-canada-players-group/article_2d72051e-16d4-4480-91bc-546c564237a1.html

https://www.cbc.ca/lite/story/9.6795028

EM’s testimony and text with McLeod
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-to-continue-amid-protest-outside/

https://www.tsn.ca/nhl/rick-westhead-crown-says-mcleod-lied-to-police-about-alleged-incident-in-london-hotel-room-1.2320162

Why Robitaille interview notes excluded from evidence:
https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/i-just-didn-t-care-why-a-hockey-canada-investigator-s-unfair-probe-led-to/article_74d43324-5d90-4798-96bc-6683a5bd9f7a.html

https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/hockey-canada-interviews-among-evidence-excluded-from-ex-junior-players-jury-trial-1.2307156

https://www.tsn.ca/hockey-canada/rick-westhead-2022-statements-from-accused-players-won-t-be-heard-at-london-hockey-trial-1.2309194

https://www.hockeycanada.ca/en-ca/news/hockey-canada-open-letter-to-canadians

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sex-assault-trial-wont-consider-2022-statements-told-to/

EM’s 2022 interview with Robyn Doolittle:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-woman-at-centre-of-hockey-canada-allegations-interviewed-by-police/

Screenshots of text messages:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-to-continue-amid-protest-outside/

Response to Jury dismissal:
https://www.anovafuture.org/anovas-statement-on-dismissal-of-jury-in-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial/

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/jury-dismissed-hockey-canada-trial-to-go-judge-alone-after-jurors-report-being-made-fun/article_c5db783b-6408-4677-b6e7-2238a9b06107.html

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-hockey-canada-trial-jury-dismissed-sexual-assault-case/

Neurobiology of stress and trauma - studies and research:
Haskell, Lori and Randall, Melanie, Impact of Trauma on Adult Sexual Assault Victims: What the Criminal Justice System Needs to Know (January 1, 2019).

Hopper, J. Sexual Assault and Neuroscience: Alarmist Claims vs. Facts. Psychology Today, Jan, 22, 2018

Tiller, J. & Baker, L. (January 2014). The Neurobiology of Sexual Assault. Learning Network Brief (14). London, Ontario: Learning Network, Centre for Research and Education on Violence Against Women and Children.

Arnsten AF. Stress signalling pathways that impair prefrontal cortex structure and function. Nat Rev Neurosci. 2009 Jun;10(6):410-22. doi: 10.1038/nrn2648. PMID: 19455173; PMCID: PMC2907136.

Jennifer Koshan, “Myths, Stereotypes, and Substantive Equality” (29 November 2024), online: ABlawg

Hoggard decision is a step backward for sexual-assault trials by Melanie Randall, Policy Options, Oct 9 2024

Kozlowska, Kasia MBBS, FRANZCP, PhD; Walker, Peter BSc Psych, MPsychol; McLean, Loyola MBBS, FRANZCP, PhD; Carrive, Pascal PhD. Fear and the Defense Cascade: Clinical Implications and Management. Harvard Review of Psychiatry 23(4):p 263-287, July/August 2015.

Case law relating to rape myths and stereotypes and the neurobiology of trauma:
R. v. Hoggard, 2024 ONCA 613 (CanLII) from para 14
R. v. Kruk, 2024 SCC 7 (CanLII), paras 42-43
R. v. Varghese, 2024 ONCA 555 (CanLII)
R. v. J.J., 2022 SCC 28, [CanLII] 2 S.C.R. 3, paras 1-2
R. v. A.G., 2000 SCC 17 (CanLII), [2000] 1 SCR 439, para 2-3
R. v. Ewanchuk, [1999] 1 S.C.R. 330, para [95]
R. v. Seaboyer, 1991 CanLII 76 (SCC)

The verdict:
The Hockey Canada trial could have been a reckoning. It was something else - by Dan Robson and Katie Strang, The Athletic, July 24 2025.

Steve Dangle Show on Youtube, July 29 2025:
Team Canada World Junior Trial Verdict w/ Katie Strang | The Steve Dangle Podcast

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/making-sense-of-some-of-the-evidence-in-the-hockey-canada-sexual-assault-trial-1.7547891