The ongoing Hockey Canada sexual assault trial continues to reveal disturbing details, as witness and NHL player Brett Howden gave further testimony on Friday. Howden, who now plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, is not accused of any wrongdoing but was part of the 2018 World Junior team that included the five players currently facing serious sexual assault charges.
This case is difficult and sensitive, involving claims of a sexual assault that allegedly happened in a hotel room in June 2018. The five men charged — Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube, and Cal Foote — have pleaded not guilty. McLeod also faces a separate charge for allegedly being a party to the offence.
What Brett Howden Said in Court
Brett Howden, speaking via Zoom from Tuesday onward, read from transcripts of his earlier interviews with investigators. These interviews took place in July 2018 and again in 2022, and they focused on what he saw and heard on the morning of the alleged incident.
In the 2018 interview, Howden said he didn’t actually see the woman crying, but he heard sounds that he believed were crying. He also said he heard other men in the room say things like, “Oh no, baby don’t leave,” as the woman tried to exit.
Howden also spoke about an interaction involving Alex Formenton, who allegedly asked Howden if it was okay to engage in sexual activity with the woman. According to the transcript, Howden replied, “If she consented, you can if you want, but it’s up to you.”
Details About Alleged Misconduct
In his 2022 interview with a Hockey Canada investigator, Howden also talked about an alleged moment where Dillon Dube slapped the woman’s buttocks in the hotel room. He said his memory of that event was not perfect, but he remembered feeling uncomfortable about what he saw.
These incidents are being used as part of the ongoing evidence presented by Crown attorney Meaghan Cunningham, who is trying to prove the involvement of the accused players. Howden’s name appeared in text messages related to the incident, specifically in a conversation with Taylor Raddysh, another NHL player.
The Court’s Decision on the Text Messages
The text messages, sent on June 26, 2018, were brought up as part of the trial. The Crown has tried several times to get them admitted as evidence, but Judge Maria Carroccia denied these requests.
The judge explained that these texts were casual conversations, not statements made under oath. She said their accuracy and reliability could not be proven, and therefore, they were not acceptable as formal evidence.
Now, the Crown is making a third attempt to get the text messages included through a hearsay application. This means they want the messages to be treated as truth, even though they were said outside of the courtroom.
Judge Carroccia is expected to make a ruling on Monday regarding this latest application.
This trial has been difficult and emotional for everyone involved. While Brett Howden is not facing charges, his testimony is adding important context to the investigation. The court is being very careful about what evidence is accepted, and many decisions are still pending.
The case has drawn attention from across Canada and the hockey world, as people wait to see how the justice system will handle such serious allegations involving high-profile athletes. More developments are expected in the coming days as the trial continues.
