Within minutes of starting to read her verdict, the words of Justice Maria Carroccia resonated across Canada as she bluntly assessed that, “I do not find the evidence of E.M. to be either credible or reliable.

Five players have been found not guilty of sexual assault in a case involving members of the 2018 Canada world junior hockey team. Superior Court Justice Maria Carroccia delivered the verdict to Michael McLeod, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, Dillon Dube and Callan Foote in a London, Ontario, courtroom Thursday.

An Ontario judge acquitted five former members of Canada's world junior hockey team on Thursday in their sexual assault case, saying the complainant's allegations lacked the credibility needed to justify the charges.