Philadelphia Flyers general manager Danny Briere announced on Tuesday that the agent for free agent goaltender Carter Hart informed the team that his client has no intention of re-signing with the franchise once he is eligible to return to the NHL next month. Hart, along with four other players, was acquitted of sexual assault charges related to an incident that occurred in 2018, when they were part of the Canadian junior team. The NHL has reinstated the players, allowing them to sign contracts from October 15 and participate in games from December 1. The NHL’s decision came approximately seven weeks after Hart, Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton were found not guilty by a judge in London, Ontario. The Canadian government informed the players’ lawyers last month that it would not appeal the ruling.
Briere confirmed that the meeting with Hart will not take place. Hart, who debuted in 2018, was considered the goalie of the future for the Flyers. During his career with the team, which ended abruptly in January 2024 following the accusations, he achieved 96 wins and six shutouts. None of the players had current contracts and all are free agents. McLeod and Foote played for New Jersey, Dube for Calgary, while Formenton played in Europe. Their respective teams let their agreements expire last year after the charges were filed.The only statement I will make about it is that his representative, Judd Moldaver, contacted us and informed us that, in light of everything that has happened with Carter in the last year and a half, both they and Carter felt it was best for them to seek a fresh start. That’s where we are and that’s the only comment I’m going to make about that.
Danny Briere, General Manager of the Philadelphia Flyers
