World junior players pretrial proceedings in London [Video]

Lawyers representing each of the five former Team Canada World Junior hockey players accused of sexually assaulting a woman inside a London, Ont. hotel room arrived at the Ontario Superior Courthouse on Thursday morning.

The players were granted permission by Justice Bruce Thomas not to attend pre-trial motion hearings.

On his way into the courthouse, lawyer David M. Humphrey said his client Michael McLeod, is playing hockey in the Russian-based KHL.

Sept. 5 and 6 have been scheduled to hear pre-trial motions.

In general, pre-trial motions determine which evidence is admissible and other procedural decisions intended to focus the trial on relevant matters.

Matters discussed during pre-trial proceedings are subject to a publication ban.

A publication ban also protects the identity of the woman and witnesses.

Cal Foote, Carter Hart, Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, and Michael McLeod each face one count of sexual assault. McLeod also faces a charge of …