Carter Hart Could Continue Career Overseas

As one of four NHLers whose careers in North America are temporarily (and potentially permanently) on hold due to sexual assault charges, former Philadelphia Flyers goalie Carter Hart can look into continuing his hockey career in Russia, per Jonathan Bailey of Philly Hockey Now. 

Hart, a restricted free agent who was not tendered a qualifying offer by the Flyers, is a UFA, and while no team in the NHL will be taking a chance on signing him with the charges he's facing, the KHL apparently has no problem taking in any of the former Canadian world junior players in question. 

Dillon Dube, late of the Calgary Flames, recently signed on with HC Dinamo Minsk, and the contract has been verified by the KHL. He registered just seven points in 43 games before his season came to a premature end. 

Hart posted a 2.80 GAA and a .906 save percentage in 24 games with Philly this past season. 

Hart, Dube and the others charged in the Hockey Canada case all took leaves of absence in late January just before the charges were laid, and none of the four were given qualifying offers, all becoming unrestricted free agents. 

The sexual assault case involving Hart, Dube, Cal Foote, Michael McLeod, and a fifth player, Alex Formenton (who played in Switzerland the last two years), will be back in criminal assignment court on Aug. 13, which, coincidentally, is also Hart's 26th birthday. 

As of yet, no trial date has been set, but according to Rick Westhead of TSN, it’s doubtful the Hockey Canada trial will begin before late April 2025 at the earliest.

Photo: © Marc DesRosiers-USA TODAY Sports