Goaltender Carter Hart is the first of the five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial to land an opportunity with an NHL team.
The Vegas Golden Knights announced on Thursday, Oct. 16, that Hart, 27, would be joining their organization. Details weren’t provided, but The Athletic reported he’s on a professional tryout agreement. He won’t be able to play in the NHL until Dec. 1.
‘Following the reinstatement decision agreed on by the National Hockey League and the National Hockey League Players’ Association, goaltender Carter Hart will be joining the Vegas Golden Knights organization,’ the team said in a statement. ‘The Golden Knights are aligned with the process and assessment the NHL and NHLPA made in their decision. We remain committed to the core values that have defined our organization from its inception and expect that our players will continue to meet these standards moving forward.’
Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote and Alex Formenton were acquitted on July 24 by Justice Maria Carroccia after a trial in London, Ontario. Police said the alleged assaults took place in a hotel room after the five had attended a Hockey Canada gala in June 2018 to celebrate their world junior championships gold medal. They were charged with sexual assault in February 2024 after police reopened their investigation.
Carroccia, who handled the trial after the jury was dismissed, said she didn’t find the accuser’s testimony ‘credible or reliable’ and that the prosecution didn’t meet its burden of proof. She found all five not guilty.
The NHL announced on Sept. 11 that it found the players’ actions ‘deeply troubling and unacceptable,’ but cleared a path for their return.
The Athletic said Hart can practice with the team immediately, play in the American Hockey League on Nov. 15 and in the NHL on Dec. 1.
‘I’m beyond grateful, excited and honored to be part of the Golden Knights,’ he told reporters on Thursday. ‘It’s been a long road to get back to this point, to getting back to playing the game of hockey, the game that I love. I’ve been out of the game for a year and a half now. I’ve learned a lot and I’ve grown a lot and I’m just excited to move forward.’
Hart was the lone player to testify at the trial. He hasn’t played since taking a leave of absence in late January 2024.
He was the Philadelphia Flyers’ No. 1 goaltender at the time, going 96-93-29 with a 2.80 goals-against average and .906 save percentage over six seasons. He and three others became free agents after not receiving a qualifying offer.
McLeod has signed a three-year deal with the Kontinental Hockey League’s Avangard Omsk, where he played in the 2024-25 season while awaiting trial. He faced a second charge of being a party to the offense but was acquitted of that charge, too.
(This story has been updated with new information.)