The NHL and NHL Players Association revealed on Thursday a suspension agreement affecting five players acquitted in the 2018 Hockey Canada sexual assault incident, lasting until December 1. The players—Michael McLeod, Dillon Dube, Cal Foote, Carter Hart, and Alex Formenton—are eligible to sign with NHL teams from October 15 onward. In this accord, they relinquished the right to contest the ruling.

If no agreement was established, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman would need to hold a hearing regarding the players’ eligibility, which could have led to a possible arbitration grievance process.

McLeod, Dube, Foote, Hart, and Formenton faced one charge of sexual assault, with McLeod having an additional charge related to the offenses. They pleaded not guilty after an incident in a hotel room in London, Ontario, on July 19, 2018, linked to a celebratory gala and golf tournament for their 2018 World Junior Championships win.

On July 24, following a comprehensive trial in London, Ontario, the players were acquitted of all charges by Justice Maria Carroccia.