Cal Foote Signs AHL Contract After Sexual Assault Acquittal

UPDATE: Cal Foote has officially signed an American Hockey League (AHL) contract with the Chicago Wolves following his acquittal in the high-profile Hockey Canada sexual assault case. This significant move comes as Foote becomes the fourth of five players acquitted in the trial connected to the 2018 world junior hockey team. The announcement was made earlier today.

This contract marks a pivotal moment for Foote, who is soon to turn 27 years old. The Wolves confirmed the deal on Monday, amid a wave of signings from his fellow acquitted teammates. Notably, Carter Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in mid-October, just as the window for new contracts opened.

In addition to Hart, Michael McLeod, also acquitted, has signed a three-year deal with Avangard Omsk of the KHL this month. McLeod had played for the team last season after previously signing with Barys Astana in Kazakhstan. Meanwhile, Alex Formenton continues to play for HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss Hockey League since 2022, following his release from the Ottawa Senators.

While Dillon Dube spent the last season with Dinamo Minsk in Belarus, he has not yet played this current season. All the players, except Formenton, were in the NHL at the time of the charges, which stemmed from an incident in London, Ontario, in 2018.

Foote and McLeod were with the New Jersey Devils, Hart with Philadelphia Flyers, and Dube with Calgary Flames when the allegations arose in early 2024. After being acquitted, these players found themselves free agents as their respective teams did not extend qualifying offers.

The AHL announced in September that players from this group would be eligible to sign starting October 15, with potential play commencing on December 1. Hart could make his debut with Vegas as soon as Tuesday, adding to the urgency surrounding these developments.

As this story continues to unfold, the implications for Foote and his future in professional hockey remain significant. Fans and observers alike are eager to see how this latest chapter in his career will unfold, and whether the remaining acquitted players will secure their own contracts in the coming weeks.

Stay tuned for further updates on these developing stories and the impact on the players involved.