Here’s a week four recap of the sexual assault trial of five former Team Canada junior hockey players

Lisa Carneos, defence attorney for Dillon Dube, questions the complainant in a sexual assault trial of five former junior hockey players. London, Ont., May 12, 2025. (Source: Alexandra Newbould)

Content advisory: This article includes graphic language and details of alleged sexual assault

Week four in the sexual assault trial of five former world junior hockey players was full of legal arguments and an emotional witness.

Because of the May long weekend, the trial resumed Tuesday morning

Tyler Steenbergen, a former teammate of the five accused, finished his testimony. While being re-examined by the prosecution, among may other things, he told the court in London, Ont., that the complainant, known as E.M., “seemed into it.”

Steenbergen is not accused of any wrongdoing.

The next person to take the stand was former teammate and current Vegas Golden Knight, Brett Howden.

Howden. who is also not accused of ay wrongdoing, broke down crying when defence attorney Lisa Carnelos asked about when he first found out there was a Hockey Canada investigation into events at the Delta hotel in London, Ont., on June 29, 2018.

After a day of Howden’s testimony, Crown Attorney Meaghan Cunningham told the court she wanted to question him about “inconsistencies” in his testimony, saying, “There are a number of areas that I wish to explore as part of this application. I think we are upwards of 15 [inconsistencies] at this point.” Cunningham also wanted to admit 2018 text messages into evidence she argued was Howden’s truth, since he said on the stand he couldn’t remember.

The Crown’s application was not granted, so a second application was filed to have the text messages entered into evidence through the principled exception to hearsay.

Justice Maria Carroccia is expected to give her decision on that Monday morning.

Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote have all pleaded not guilty to sexual assault in connection with an encounter at a hotel room in London, Ont., in 2018.

• Week 1 recap
• Week 2 recap
• Week 3 recap
• Day 16: ‘We should put allegations on her’: Another former player testifies in sexual assault case of former junior hockey players
• Day 17: Defence attorney slams witness as ‘useless’ in Team Canada sexual assault trial
• Day 18: Howden breaks down on witness stand in sexual assault trial of five of his ex-teammates
• Day 19: Judge in hockey players’ trial rules text messages cannot be made evidence in sexual assault trial of ex-teammates

If you or someone you know is struggling with sexual assault or trauma, the following resources are available to support people in crisis:

If you are in immediate danger or fear for your safety, you should call 911.

A full list of sexual assault centres in Canada that offer information, advocacy and counselling can be found ​on the website for Ending Sexual Violence Association of Canada.

Helplines, legal services and locations that offer sexual assault kits in Alberta, B.C., Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Quebec, Ontario and Nova Scotia can be found here.

National Residential School Crisis Line: [phone]

24-hour crisis line: 416 597 8808

Canadian Human Trafficking Hotline: [phone]

Trans Lifeline: [phone]

Sexual misconduct support for current or former members of the Armed Forces: [phone]

Read about your rights as a victim here.