All 5 former NHLers charged in 2018 World Juniors case plead 'Not Guilty'

The trial for five players on Team Canada's 2018 World Junior hockey team has officially begun.

Proceedings officially got underway today with all five of the alleged offenders in the same court room for the first time.

Charged with one count each of sexual assault are former NHLers Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Carter Hart and Alex Formenton. Michael McLeod has been charged with two counts of sexual assault, including one relating to aiding someone else in the offence. All defendants plead 'Not Guilty'.

Among the witnesses expected to be called are former teammates and current NHLers Cale Makar, Robert Thomas and Drake Batherson.

Each player is an unrestricted free agent and failed to generate any interest from NHL teams this past offseason. Both Dube and McLeod signed contracts in the KHL, but McLeod didn't last long and returned home to Canada mid-season.

Opening statements by the Crown and the Defense are expected Wednesday afternoon.

All 5 former NHLers charged in 2018 World Juniors case plead 'Not Guilty'

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