Cal Foote signs AHL contract with Chicago Wolves after acquittal

Cal Foote has signed an American Hockey League contract with the Chicago Wolves, marking a significant step in his return to professional hockey following his acquittal in a high-profile sexual assault trial. The soon-to-be 27-year-old defenseman becomes the fourth of five players found not guilty in the case involving members of Canada’s 2018 world junior hockey team to resume his playing career.

The Wolves announced the deal on Monday, continuing the gradual return of players who were charged in early 2024 in connection to an incident in London, Ontario, dating back to 2018. The NHL had previously announced that these players would be eligible to sign new contracts starting October 15 and could return to game action beginning December 1, creating a structured pathway for their professional reinstatement.

Timeline of the legal proceedings and return

The path back to professional hockey has been methodical and cautious. The five players—Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Alex Formenton, and Dillon Dube—were charged in early 2024 while most were actively playing in the NHL. After being acquitted, they faced a waiting period before becoming eligible to sign new contracts. The NHL’s decision to set specific dates for their return allowed teams to prepare for their potential signings while respecting the legal outcomes.

Goaltender Carter Hart was the first to sign, inking a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights in mid-October, shortly after the eligibility window opened. Foote now follows as the second player to sign in North America, though his path takes him through the AHL rather than directly to an NHL roster.

Foote’s career before the charges

Before the legal situation derailed his career, Cal Foote had established himself as a steady defenseman in the NHL. Drafted 14th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017, Foote brought a reliable defensive presence and the pedigree of being the son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote. His career included stints with the Tampa Bay Lightning and New Jersey Devils organizations, where he was under contract when the charges were filed.

Foote’s experience with the Devils organization makes his signing with the Chicago Wolves particularly noteworthy. The Wolves serve as the AHL affiliate for the Carolina Hurricanes, giving Foote an opportunity to prove himself in a competitive minor league environment while potentially positioning for an NHL call-up if his performance warrants it.

Where the other players have landed

The five acquitted players have taken different paths in resuming their hockey careers:

• Michael McLeod signed a three-year contract with Avangard Omsk of the KHL in October, returning to the Russian-based league where he played last season after originally joining Barys Astana in Kazakhstan. McLeod’s deal came after he was found not guilty of all charges, including an additional count of being party to the offense of sexual assault.

• Carter Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in October and could make his debut as soon as Tuesday, becoming the first of the group to return to NHL game action after his time with the Philadelphia Flyers was cut short.

• Alex Formenton has been playing for HC Ambri-Piotta in the Swiss Hockey League since 2022, a path he took before the trial after the Ottawa Senators opted not to re-sign him following the 2021-22 season.

• Dillon Dube spent last season with Dinamo Minsk in the KHL but has not played during the current 2025-26 season, leaving his future plans uncertain.

Impact on the Chicago Wolves roster

The Chicago Wolves are gaining a defenseman with NHL experience and a career trajectory that was interrupted at a critical time. For the Wolves, this represents a low-risk, potentially high-reward signing. Foote will need to work his way back into game shape and prove he can still compete at a professional level after nearly two years away from organized hockey.

The AHL provides an ideal environment for this transition, offering a competitive league with NHL affiliation that allows for player development and evaluation. The Wolves, as the Hurricanes’ affiliate, maintain a pipeline of talent that occasionally feeds into the NHL roster, giving Foote a tangible goal to work toward.

What this means for the acquitted players’ futures

The structured return of these players raises important questions about second chances in professional sports and the NHL’s approach to handling sensitive legal situations. The league’s decision to allow their return while implementing specific eligibility windows demonstrates an attempt to balance legal outcomes with organizational accountability.

For Foote specifically, the AHL contract serves as a bridge back to potential NHL opportunities. His performance with the Wolves will be closely watched not only by the Hurricanes organization but by other NHL teams that may be considering whether to extend an opportunity to a player with his background and experience level.

The varying paths of the five players—some in the KHL, one in the NHL, one in Switzerland, and now Foote in the AHL—illustrate how each has navigated the complex process of rebuilding a career after serious criminal charges, even after acquittal. Their collective experience will likely inform how the NHL handles similar situations in the future, should they arise.

Key takeaways

• Cal Foote becomes the fourth of five acquitted players to sign a professional contract after being found not guilty in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial
• The NHL’s structured return policy allowed players to sign starting October 15 and play starting December 1
• Foote’s AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves provides a pathway back to potential NHL opportunities
• Each of the five players has taken a different route in resuming their careers, from the KHL to Swiss league to direct NHL return
• The situation continues to raise important discussions about second chances and professional sports’ handling of off-ice conduct

The Wolves’ announcement marks another chapter in the ongoing story of these players’ attempts to rebuild their professional lives after one of hockey’s most controversial legal cases. Foote’s journey through the AHL will be closely monitored as the latest test case for whether a player can successfully return to North American professional hockey after such a public and serious legal battle.