Cal Foote was one of five Canadian junior hockey players who were charged, and later acquitted, of sexual assault in connection with a high-profile trial following Canada's gold medal at the 2018 World Junior Championships. All of the players denied any wrongdoing.
This week it was announced that Foote had signed for SHL club Färjestad. A decision that sparked strong reactions. On Thursday, FBK announced that it was terminating its cooperation with the 27-year-old defenceman.
Färjestad management has received harsh criticism, and sports director Rickard Wallin now breaks his silence and tells VF that it became "an environment that was not positive for anyone."
"A polarisation around the decision where it simply wasn't a sustainable situation in any way. It affected people too much. We didn't see a way forward," says Wallin.
Wallin says he has been in contact with Foote during the week, and that there are lessons to be learned from what has happened.
But I probably need to process it in peace and quiet first. But there are definitely big lessons to be learned from all the tough things you go through. This is definitely a tough thing.
