A who’s who of Canada’s criminal defense bar has been retained to represent five hockey players, including four from the National Hockey League, charged in a group sexual assault dating back to 2018.

In a scandal that has rocked Canadian hockey, the allegations against members of Canada’s 2018 World Junior hockey team have resulted in massive scrutiny of governing body Hockey Canada over the potential use of public funds to settle sexual assault lawsuits, as well as several police investigations, a CA$3.5 million civil lawsuit, and other sexual assault claims and possible cover-ups coming to light.