The five players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the NHL when their suspensions end on Dec. 1, the NHL announced Thursday.

The players, who are all unrestricted free agents, can sign with a team on Oct. 15 as they wait for full reinstatement.

Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton and Carter Hart were all charged with one count of sexual assault and pleaded not guilty when the trial opened in April.

MacLeod had also been charged with one count of being a party to the offences.

The five players were acquitted of all charges on July 24 after a two-month trial in London, Ont.

Following the ruling, the NHL had said the players would be ineligible to compete and that the league would review the judge’s findings.

The NHL conducted its own investigation beginning in the spring of 2022 when the allegations came to light. It called the events that transpired “deeply troubling and unacceptable” and that while they were not found to be criminal, said the players’ conduct did not meet the standard of moral integrity.

NHLPA pleased for players

The players met with league officials after the ruling and expressed regret and remorse, the NHL said. Keeping them from playing until Dec. 1 brings their total time away to nearly two years.

The NHL Players’ Association in a statement said it was pleased Dube, Foote, Formenton Hart and McLeod are getting the opportunity to resume their careers

“The players co-operated with every investigation,” the union said. “Upon their full acquittal by Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia, we initiated discussions with the NHL regarding the players’ return to work. To avoid a protracted dispute that would cause further delay, we reached the resolution that the league announced today. We now consider the matter closed and look forward to the players’ return.”

Deputy commissioner Bill Daly, earlier in the week, said an update was coming “in the relatively near future” and declined to go into the contents of the investigative process.

“Obviously, we take the matter very seriously, and that’s why it’s still under review,” Daly said Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Asked about Hart on Thursday in Voorhees, New Jersey, the head of the company that owns the Flyers, said they would not comment at this point.

“The NHL’s made it clear they’ll speak first,” Comcast Spectacor chairman and CEO Dan Hilferty said. “But right now, we’re not prepared to comment on the Carter Hart situation. The NHL has told us they are running the show.”

Hart, McLeod, Dube and Foote last took part in NHL games in January 2024 before leaving their teams with charges pending. It was not immediately clear how many of the players would be signed when eligible, though Hart as a 27-year-old goaltender with significant experience appears to be the most likely.