Ex-Teammate Memory Lapses Stir Questions in Hockey Canada Assault Trial

LONDON, Ont. — A crown attorney in the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey Team has suggested that a non-accused former teammate may be purposely omitting details while testifying to protect his friends and ex-teammates.

It‘s the Crown’s submission that Mr. Howden’s memory loss is a feigned memory loss, not a sincere one. His memory loss, in my submission, is directly related to details that will be particularly damning for the defendants, who are his former teammates and friends.

— Meaghan Cunningham, Crown Attorney

Crown Highlights Inconsistencies

The crown attorney, Meaghan Cunningham, outlined 18 inconsistencies between NHL player Brett Howden’s court testimony and prior statements he made to a Hockey Canada investigator during a voir dire hearing. The hearing, a trial within a trial, sought to determine the admissibility of Howden’s earlier statements.

Key Inconsistencies

• Recollection of hearing the complainant, E.M., “weeping”
• Witnessing teammate Dillon Dube slap E.M.’s buttocks
• Details of a conversation regarding teammate Alex Formenton having sex with E.M.

The Witness: Brett Howden

Howden, who currently plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, was present in the hotel room on the night of the alleged offence but is not accused of any wrongdoing. Throughout his testimony, he maintained that his memory of the events was hazy, leading the crown to suggest he might be favoring his former teammates.

Trial Description

The trial involves the 2018 World Junior Hockey Team teammates Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote. They are each accused of sexually assaulting a woman identified as E.M. at a London hotel following a Hockey Canada gala. McLeod faces an additional charge of being a party to sexual assault.

Further Developments

Justice Maria Carroccia denied part of the Crown’s request but allowed some parts to proceed. Ms. Cunningham has also made an application to have sections of Howden’s 2018 statement and a text message exchange admitted into evidence. Legal arguments will continue the following day.

Did You Know?

Why were there two investigations? Hockey Canada initially hired an investigator in 2018 after the incident occurred. Following a lawsuit settlement in 2022, the organization launched a second investigation.

Pro Tip

What is a voir dire? A voir dire is a trial within a trial, used to determine the admissibility of evidence. In this case, Justice Carroccia is deciding whether the crown can cross-examine Howden about his previous statements.

This article was published with the aim to provide up-to-date, accurate, and engaging information on the ongoing trial. For more news on this and other sports trials, stay tuned to 247sports.news.