Swedish team backs out of contract after signing Cal Foote

It appears that former NHL defenseman Cal Foote won’t be spending a year in Sweden, after all.

Just two days after announcing a one-year contract with Foote, Färjestad BK of the Swedish Hockey League (SHL) revealed on Thursday that they are backing out of the agreement.

Foote, 27, was one of five players from the 2018 Canadian Junior Team that were levied sexual assault charges stemming from an incident that occured in June of 2018 in London, Ontario. Foote, along with Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton, and Michael McLeod, were ultimately found not guilty by Justice Maria V. Carroccia in July of 2025.

In a released statement, Färjestad BK explained that they are no longer interested in acquiring Foote after people close to the club voiced their concerns, disappointment, and questions about the decision. The statement expressed that the initial decision to sign Foote was made after a thorough review of Foote, the aforementioned sexual assault case, and a meeting with Foote himself. However, feedback and developments since the decision was announced has made it clear that the signing would not be in the best interest of the team or the player.

Last season, Foote played 48 games for the Carolina Hurricanes‘ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate Chicago Wolves, putting up four goals and 14 assists for 18 points. He then contributed three goals and eight assists for 11 points in 21 playoff games during Chicago’s run to the Calder Cup final.

Initially selected 14th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, Foote has compiled five goals and 15 assists for 20 points over a total of 145 NHL games split between the Lightning, Nashville Predators, and New Jersey Devils.

He is the son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote, and the brother of Philadelphia Flyers forward Nolan Foote.