TORONTO -- Cale Makar has been instructed not to comment on the sexual assault charges facing five of his teammates on Canada's 2018 world junior hockey team.
But the Colorado Avalanche star did give a peek into his own feelings on the incident that took place more than five years ago in London, Ont., and its ripple effects.
"I've been kind of straightforward from the start that I wasn't there. But again, I'm just gonna leave it back to the people who are handling obviously the work right now," Makar said Thursday evening at Toronto's Scotiabank Arena, where he is taking part in all-star weekend.
"Again, I can't stress enough that I wasn't a part of that."
A court document shows Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, and Michael McLeod are each charged with one count of sexual assault.
The document shows McLeod is also facing an additional charge of sexual assault for “being a party to the offence."
It says the charges relate to an alleged sexual assault on a person identified only as E.M. on June 19, 2018.
Lawyers for each of the players have said their clients will defend themselves against the allegations.
The accused players have all been allowed to go on indefinite leave from their pro clubs.
Makar has been affected by the investigation, though.
Upon the Avalanche's early elimination from the 2023 playoffs, Makar would have considered representing Canada at the world championships but, as a member of the investigated '18 team, was not eligible.
"Finishing last season, it was a little bit weird because obviously, you have the World Championships that you can go over to — and I wasn't eligible to play in that. So, I've been having that in the back of my mind, and not being possible, it's tough," Makar said.
"At the end of the day, actions have consequences, and that's what I was taught growing up, regardless of the situation that's going on right now. Yeah, again, I'm just gonna kind of divert back to what's been said, and I don't know too much of any of the details."
Makar was also asked his thoughts on how the case has impacted hockey culture.
"Aside from that incident — not even commenting on that — I think just in general over the years, even since I've been playing hockey as a kid, hockey has been evolving and evolving," Makar said.
"I think we're at a point now where it's very inclusive for everybody, and it should feel that way. And if it doesn't, then we as a league and us as a game aren't doing the correct things to make it feel that way. So, for us, in my mind, I feel like everybody should be accepted, regardless of who you are. And I think that the game has just continued to grow and in that respect, I'm proud of where it's at right now.
"But we definitely still obviously have a long way to go."
Makar is hopeful to represent Canada again at 2025's four-team tournament and the 2026 Winter Games.
