Opening arguments begin in former Canada world junior players sexual assault trial [Video]

Prosecutors are laying out the evidence they expect to present as the sexual assault trial of five former members of Canada’s world junior hockey team begins in London, Ont., Wednesday.

Dillon Dube, Carter Hart, Michael McLeod, Cal Foote, and Alex Formenton have pleaded not guilty to sexual assault.

McLeod has also pleaded not guilty to an additional charge of being a party to the offence of sexual assault.

The players were charged last year in relation to an incident that allegedly took place in the city in June 2018.

The complainant cannot be identified under a standard publication ban.

A jury of 14, plus two alternates, was selected Tuesday and appears to comprise a majority of women. The two alternates were released Wednesday morning before the Crown began its opening submissions.

The trial is expected to last approximately eight weeks.