An alleged group sexual assault could be headed to court — here's what might happen next

WARNING: This article contains graphic content and may affect those who have experienced​ ​​​sexual violence or know someone affected by it News that five players from Canada's 2018 World Junior team are expected to face sexual assault charges is raising questions about next steps in the high-profile case.

This week, the Globe and Mail reported the players have been given until late next week to surrender to police in London, Ont., where a group sexual assault allegedly unfolded in 2018.

While London Police have declined to comment publicly on the case, they have said they expect to hold a press conference on Feb. 5 about the investigation.

Several players from the 2018 World Junior team requested and were granted leaves of absences this week from NHL and European teams. London Police have not named any accused.

Court filings by London Police show investigators believe the case hinges on the question of consent. The accounts put forward by the alleged victim and the players conflict on that key point.

WATCH/ Five former world junior hockey players to face sexual assault charges: report

Former Crown prosecutor Nick Cake says the players "will be arrested, just like anybody else would be arrested."

"Either they can walk into the police station and do that, or ultimately the police will come and find them," said Cake, now a criminal defence lawyer in London. He is not representing anyone involved in the case.

The accused would then be read their rights and given an opportunity to speak with a lawyer, he said.

"Then, I would imagine, [they would be] released with a court date and some conditions at that point in time," said Cake. 

A young woman known to the public only by the initials "E.M." told London police she was sexually assaulted by a group of junior hockey players in a London hotel room in 2018 after a Hockey Canada Foundation Gala and Golf event, according to court filings.

E.M. was 20 years old at the time of the alleged incident. London Police have not released her name.

Court documents revealed in 2022 that London Police believed they had reasonable grounds to accuse five players of sexually assaulting E.M.

Police, Hockey Canada and the NHL have all launched investigations and have not publicly named any of the hockey players allegedly involved. The court filings redacted the names of the accused and referred to them as "player #1-5".