Imagine going from lifting the Stanley Cup to fighting for your freedom in a courtroom, then quietly lacing up your skates again in a minor-league rink. That’s the reality for Cal Foote, the defenseman who this month signed an AHL contract with the Chicago Wolves after being acquitted in one of hockey’s most talked-about legal cases.
Age: 26 (born December 13, 1998) ·
Position: Defenseman ·
Height / Weight: 6’5″ / 224 lb ·
Shoots: Right ·
NHL Draft: 2017, Tampa Bay Lightning (1st round, 30th overall) ·
Current Team: Chicago Wolves (AHL) ·
Stanley Cups: 1 (2021, Tampa Bay Lightning)
Quick snapshot
- Won Stanley Cup with Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021 (NHL.com (official league player page))
- Charged with sexual assault in June 2023, acquitted in 2025 (ESPN (sports news authority))
- Signed one-year AHL contract with Chicago Wolves in December 2025 (Front Office Sports (sports business outlet))
- Whether Foote will ever return to the NHL
- Exact financial terms beyond the reported $800,000 AHL deal
- Future plans if he receives an NHL contract offer
- Returned to professional hockey ~5 months after acquittal (ESPN)
- Foote will play for the Chicago Wolves in the 2025-26 AHL season (Front Office Sports)
Eleven key facts about Cal Foote’s career, legal case, and return — one pattern: a player whose professional arc was interrupted by a criminal trial, then restarted in the minors.
Here is a full profile of one of the most unusual returns in recent hockey history.
| Label | Value |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Callan Hayden Foote |
| Born | December 13, 1998 (Denver, Colorado) |
| Nationality | American-born Canadian |
| Position | Defense |
| Shoots | Right |
| Height | 6’5″ |
| Weight | 224 lb |
| NHL Draft | 2017, Tampa Bay Lightning (30th overall) |
| Stanley Cups | 1 (2021) |
| Current Team | Chicago Wolves (AHL) |
| Contract | 1 year, $800,000 (UFA) |
Is Cal Foote still playing hockey?
Foote is back on the ice, but in the AHL — not the NHL. For a defenseman who played 123 NHL games, a minor-league contract signals that teams are still watching before committing.
Cal Foote’s current team: Chicago Wolves
Yes, Cal Foote is still playing hockey. In December 2025, he signed a one-year American Hockey League contract with the Chicago Wolves, the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes (Front Office Sports, sports business outlet). The Wolves announced the deal on Monday, marking his return to pro hockey after a year away.
Return to hockey after legal case
Foote missed the entire 2024-25 NHL season while his sexual assault case was pending. He is the fourth of five acquitted players from the Hockey Canada trial to return to professional hockey, following Carter Hart (Vegas Golden Knights), Dillon Dube, and others.
Status with NHL teams
He last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season with the New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators. Before signing with the Wolves, Foote was a free agent. The contract does not guarantee an NHL call-up, but it places him back in the professional hockey ecosystem.
What this means: For a 26-year-old defenseman who spent a critical development year in court rather than on the ice, the AHL is both a lifeline and a test. If Foote performs, an NHL team may take a low-risk chance by mid-season.
Did Cal Foote win a Stanley Cup?
Stanley Cup victory with Tampa Bay Lightning (2021)
Yes — Cal Foote won the Stanley Cup with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2021. During that championship season, he played 18 regular-season games and 3 playoff games, contributing to the Lightning’s second consecutive Cup win.
Role in the playoffs
Foote was a depth defenseman during that run, slotting in when injuries hit the Tampa Bay blue line. Fellow defenseman Luke Schenn was also on that Lightning team, providing veteran depth.
Connection to Luke Schenn
The 2021 Lightning roster featured both Foote and Luke Schenn, a pairing that allowed Tampa to roll three defensive pairs deep into the playoffs.
The pattern: Foote’s name on the Cup is legit — he earned a ring as a contributing player, not a scratch. But his playoff role was limited, and his career has never reached that peak since.
Are Cal Foote and Nolan Foote related?
Brothers in hockey
Yes, Cal Foote and Nolan Foote are brothers. Both were drafted into the NHL: Cal by Tampa Bay in the first round (30th overall) in 2017, Nolan by New Jersey in the second round (61st overall) in 2019.
Nolan Foote’s career overview
Nolan Foote, a forward, has played for the New Jersey Devils and now the San Jose Sharks organization. He is two years younger than Cal, born in 2000.
Family background
Their father, Adam Foote, played 19 seasons in the NHL, winning two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche (1996 and 2001) and captaining the team. Cal and Nolan grew up in Denver while their father played for the Avalanche.
Why this matters: The Foote surname carries serious hockey weight. Adam Foote is a respected defensive defenseman from the 2000s era. Both his sons inherited his size and defensive instincts — but neither has yet made the impact their father did.
How much does Cal Foote make?
Current AHL contract with Chicago Wolves
Foote signed a one-year AHL contract worth $800,000 with the Chicago Wolves. AHL salaries are typically lower than NHL minimums, though top AHL players can earn in the $500,000-$1 million range.
Previous NHL salary history
His most recent NHL deal was a one-year, $800,000 contract with the New Jersey Devils in 2023-24. Before that, he played on his entry-level contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning which carried a $925,000 cap hit.
Contract type and duration
The Chicago Wolves deal is a one-year contract for the 2025-26 season, meaning Foote will be an unrestricted free agent again next summer.
The trade-off: Foote took a significant pay cut from his last NHL deal ($800,000 in 2023-24) to the AHL level — likely in the $80,000-$120,000 range for a non-NHL AHL contract. For a player his age, the bet is that performance in the Wolves’ system leads to an NHL call-up and a bigger deal.
What legal issues did Cal Foote face?
Five NHL players were charged and acquitted. Four are back playing. The case forever changed how the hockey world views the 2018 world junior team — but the players themselves have largely returned to their careers.
Sexual assault charges (2023)
In June 2023, Foote was one of five NHL players charged with sexual assault relating to an incident in London, Ontario, stemming from the 2018 world junior hockey team gathering. The other players charged were Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, Michael McLeod, and Carter Hart.
Acquittal in 2025
In July 2025, a jury acquitted all five players. Judge Maria Carroccia found the complainant’s testimony not credible or reliable, and the Crown was unable to meet its burden of proof (Front Office Sports).
Impact on his hockey career
Foote missed the entire 2024-25 NHL season while the case was pending. He was a free agent during that time, with no team willing to sign him while charges were active. After the acquittal, the window opened for all five players to negotiate new contracts.
Other players involved
Carter Hart signed with the Vegas Golden Knights in October 2025. Dillon Dube and Alex Formenton have also found teams. Michael McLeod, the fifth player, had been a center for the Devils before the charges.
The catch: While the legal system cleared Foote, the damage to his career trajectory is real — he lost a full season of development at age 25, and no NHL team has offered him a one-way contract. The AHL is his proving ground.
Frequently asked questions
What team does Cal Foote play for in 2026?
He plays for the Chicago Wolves of the American Hockey League, the affiliate of the Carolina Hurricanes.
How long was Cal Foote away from hockey because of his legal case?
He missed the entire 2024-25 NHL season — about 12 months — while his sexual assault case was pending.
What were the charges against Cal Foote?
He was charged with sexual assault in June 2023 related to an incident in London, Ontario, stemming from the 2018 world junior hockey team gathering.
Who else was involved in the legal case with Cal Foote?
The other four players charged were Dillon Dube, Alex Formenton, Michael McLeod, and Carter Hart.
What are Cal Foote’s career NHL statistics?
He has played 123 regular-season NHL games, recording 3 goals and 14 assists for 17 points, plus 3 playoff games.
Is Cal Foote related to Adam Foote?
Yes, Adam Foote is Cal’s father. Adam played 19 NHL seasons and won two Stanley Cups with the Colorado Avalanche.
What is Cal Foote’s AHL stats with Chicago Wolves?
As of his signing in December 2025, he has not yet played a game for the Chicago Wolves. Stats will update as the 2025-26 AHL season progresses.
Will Cal Foote return to the NHL?
It’s possible if he performs well in the AHL and an NHL team signs him to a contract. No NHL team has offered him a one-way deal as of December 2025.
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Kevin Sullivan covers community events, neighbourhoods and local culture in the Okanagan Valley.