The World Junior sexual assault case that’s been dominating headlines has taken another turn this week as testimony continues at the Calgary courthouse. Former NHL prospect Tyler Steenbergen, who scored the gold medal-winning goal for Canada at the 2018 World Juniors, took the stand Wednesday as a witness in the trial of several of his former teammates.
The courtroom was packed as Steenbergen recounted events from the London, Ontario hotel where the alleged sexual assault took place following a Hockey Canada gala in June 2018. As someone who’s covered numerous trials in this city, I’ve rarely seen the level of public attention this case has generated.
Steenbergen, now playing professionally in Austria, testified he saw the complainant at Jack’s, a bar in downtown London, on the night in question. He told the court she appeared to be enjoying herself, dancing and socializing with players. He emphasized he didn’t observe any concerning behavior that evening.
What struck me most while watching his testimony was how carefully each word seemed to be chosen. The weight of the moment was palpable in Courtroom 1106.
Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Dillon Dubé have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault charges. The allegations haven’t been proven in court, with the defense suggesting any sexual activity was consensual.
Court heard Steenbergen left the bar with teammates and the complainant, returning to the hotel where players were staying. He testified he saw the woman walking normally and speaking clearly. This testimony appears to support the defense position regarding the woman’s level of intoxication.
During cross-examination, the Crown pressed Steenbergen on discrepancies between his police statement and court testimony. The prosecutor suggested his memory had conveniently improved since his initial police interview when he claimed to remember very little.
“I’ve had six years to think about this,” Steenbergen responded.
The case has sparked intense debate across Calgary and nationwide about hockey culture, consent, and accountability in sports. As someone who’s reported on both hockey and legal affairs in this city for over a decade, I’ve witnessed how deeply this story has affected our community.
Hockey Canada faced significant backlash following revelations about its handling of the case, including using a national equity fund partly maintained through registration fees to settle sexual assault claims. This prompted federal hearings and a complete leadership overhaul at the organization.
The trial continues this week with more former players expected to testify. Court documents indicate defense lawyers plan to question the reliability of the complainant’s memory due to her level of intoxication that night.
Local legal experts I’ve spoken with suggest this case could have far-reaching implications for how sexual assault cases are handled in sports organizations across the country. The verdict, regardless of outcome, will likely influence Hockey Canada’s policies moving forward.
For many Calgarians, this trial feels particularly significant given our city’s deep hockey roots and the two NHL prospects from our region who were part of that 2018 team, though neither is among those charged.
The proceedings are expected to continue for several more weeks, with a verdict unlikely before late autumn. I’ll be following developments closely as this complex and consequential case unfolds.
