- Färjestad BK has canceled Cal Foote’s contract two days after announcing the signing
- The Swedish club says reaction from supporters, members and partners forced the reversal
- Read below for what Färjestad said in its statement and where Foote stands now
Färjestad BK is out on Cal Foote.
The Swedish Hockey League club announced Thursday that it has ended its agreement with the 27-year-old defenseman, two days after introducing him as a signing for the 2026-27 season.
Reaction in Sweden came fast, and the club said that is what changed its mind. Färjestad laid out its reasoning in a statement on its own website, describing conversations with supporters, members, partners, coaches and staff once the news landed.
“Many have shared concerns, disappointment and questions about our decision to sign the player. Thank you for reaching out and sharing your thoughts.”
Nothing in the statement walked back the original vetting. The club said it made the call after a thorough review of the facts and several conversations with people who had real insight into the case, and that its own read on Foote does not match the picture drawn over the past few days.
What changed was the scale of it. Färjestad said the situation had grown to a point it could not ignore, and that neither the team nor Foote could get the focus the job requires.
“In that position, we have a responsibility to act based on the situation as it stands right now.”
Those comments are translated from the club’s Swedish release.
Chris Johnston had the reversal on this side of the ocean Thursday afternoon:
Foote was one of five players charged with sexual assault stemming from a 2018 incident involving Canada’s World Junior team. He, Dillon Dubé, Carter Hart, Alex Formenton and Michael McLeod were all acquitted in July 2025.
Tuesday’s announcement had Färjestad sporting director Rickard Wallin raising the case unprompted, saying the club had done extensive research and felt comfortable welcoming Foote in.
His last stop was the Chicago Wolves, Carolina’s AHL affiliate. Foote put up four goals and 14 assists in 48 games there, then added 11 points in 21 playoff games as the Wolves went to the Calder Cup final.
Tampa Bay took him 14th overall in 2017 out of Kelowna. He has 145 NHL games between the Lightning, Predators and Devils, and he is the son of former NHL defenseman Adam Foote and the brother of Flyers forward Nolan Foote.
Now the club wants to pull itself back together and point everything at the coming season. Foote has to start his search over.
