The ongoing sexual assault trial connected to Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team took an emotional turn as Vegas Golden Knights centre Brett Howden broke down in tears while testifying. Although he is not among the five former players facing charges, Howden’s emotional response and his involvement in related conversations shed light on the seriousness of the situation. This trial revolves around a disturbing incident from June 2018, and Howden’s testimony gives a glimpse into the emotional toll it has taken on those close to the case.
Howden’s Emotional Testimony
Brett Howden appeared in court via Zoom, where he revealed how hard it was to talk about the alleged incident. Instead of turning to his parents or partner, he first contacted fellow teammate Taylor Raddysh. “I was kind of looking for a friend,” Howden said, describing how difficult it was to bring up the matter even with his family.
When questioned by defense lawyer Lisa Carnelos, who represents Dillon Dube—one of the five charged—Howden agreed that he felt nervous and scared during the early stages of the Hockey Canada investigation. Carnelos highlighted how hard it must have been to tell his girlfriend, who is now his wife and mother of their two children. The mention of his family caused Howden to break into tears.
The Text Messages at the Centre of the Case
One key point in the trial involves a text message Howden sent to Raddysh a week after the alleged assault. In that message, Howden described seeing Dube slapping a woman’s backside forcefully, saying it looked painful. When asked by the Crown if he believed he was telling the truth in those messages, Howden said he did, though he admitted he didn’t remember every detail.
Defense and Crown Arguments
After Howden finished testifying, the court discussed whether his messages should be admitted as evidence. Defense lawyer Riaz Sayani pointed out that believing you’re being honest doesn’t always mean you’re accurate. He stressed the difference between honesty and factual correctness.
However, Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham argued that Howden wasn’t just making assumptions—he believed what he said was the truth. She highlighted that Howden clearly stated his belief in the honesty of his words, which supports the idea that he wasn’t fabricating anything.
The Bigger Picture of the Case
This trial involves serious charges against five former members of the 2018 World Junior Team—Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, and Cal Foote. All have pleaded not guilty to the charges, which relate to an incident in a London, Ontario hotel following a Hockey Canada event.
Howden’s emotional reaction and his testimony about his text conversations provide an important human side to this high-profile case. Though not charged, his involvement brings additional context and insight into the culture and atmosphere around the time of the incident.
The emotional breakdown of Brett Howden during this trial reminds us that even those not directly accused can carry heavy emotional burdens. His testimony, especially about being afraid to speak to his family and turning to a friend instead, shows the personal challenges people face when dealing with serious allegations. The court is now left to decide on the importance of his messages and whether they will be used in the case. As this trial continues, many await Justice Maria Carroccia’s decisions on key matters that could shape the outcome of the proceedings.
