Flyers

Carter Hart Denied Entry into the United States

By Kevin Kinkead

Published: Sep 10th, 2024 · 1:13 PM EDT

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Ex-Flyer Carter Hart is one of the five players facing sexual assault charges in the Hockey Canada scandal. According to reporting from Canada’s The Globe and Mail, he cannot get into the United States and hired an immigration lawyer:

Five former NHL players who stand criminally charged with an alleged 2018 group sexual assault provided statements to court about their fading hockey hopes as part of their successful applications to skip non-essential hearings so they can work or train elsewhere.

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While the onus is on an accused in Canada to attend criminal court hearings, applications for absences are commonplace, but require permission from a judge. Each of the players swore an affidavit this summer.

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Mr. Hart, a former Philadelphia Flyer, says he intends to move from his home province of Alberta to Tennessee to work out full-time with a fellow former professional hockey player.

“If I am required to attend the pretrial motions, whether in person or remotely, it would be impossible for me to maintain my daily training regimen,” he writes. His affidavit says he has hired an immigration lawyer. “I have been previously denied entry to the United States due to my criminal charge.”

Seems like a weak excuse. Can’t you work out full-time and maintain a “daily training regimen” with some former players in Canada? Do they not have gyms up there? Do they not have hockey rinks? Of course they do. And why would you want to move to Tennessee anyway? Tax breaks? Are you Taylor Swift? If this was 1991 and he was moving to Memphis to pursue a hip hop career, then the judge should absolutely approve that. But you don’t need to go down there to stand in net and have someone fire pucks at you. Permission denied!