Cale Makar speaks about his association with 2018 World Juniors scandal

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Liam McCormick
February 3, 2024 (11:55)

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Last week, news became official that 5 players from the 2018 Canadian World Juniors team were to surrender themselves to police in London to face charges that are now being laid after a years-long investigation. The five players that have surrendered to police include Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton.

Notably, superstar defenceman Cale Makar was on that same team. While he wasn't implicated in the investigation at all, Makar was still asked bout his connection with the team yesterday afternoon at the all-star skills competition. While he was under instruction not to comment on the investigation, Makar vehemently denied any involvement, role, or knowledge of the event at all.

It's tough. I've been told not to comment on that ongoing investigation. I've been straightforward from the start. I wasn't there,» Makar said. «It was a very fortunate bounce to not obviously be a part of something like that. I'm just going to leave it to the people who are handling the work right now. I can't stress enough that I wasn't part of that.

Also present at All-Star Weekend is Robert Thomas, a member of the 2018 Canadian Juniors team as well. Similar to Makar, Thomas kept his comments short.

»I've cooperated with the investigation, and that all I'm going to comment,» Thomas told reporters, according to the Associated Press. «That's all I've got for you.»

All members of the 2018 team have also been indefinitely barred from representing Canada in international hockey, a decision made by Hockey Canada. For that reason, Makar was unavailable to participate in the 2023 World Championships after the Avalanche were eliminated from last year's playoffs. With the NHL announcing the Four Nations Faceoff for next year, it's unclear if Makar will be able to represent Canada.

«It was a little bit weird,» Makar said. «I wasn't eligible to play in that. Even having that in the back of my mind and it not being possible, it was tough. At the end of the day, actions have consequences.»

The London Police have announced a press conference for this upcoming Monday afternoon where charges are expected to be officially presented to the players. We'll know more at that time on the status of the investigation and the legal implications.