The lawyers for five members of Team Canada’s 2018 World Junior Hockey team appeared in London, Ontario court on Monday.

They have all been charged with sexual assault, with Michael McLeod an additional charge of  sexual assault for “being a party to the offence.”

London Police Chief Thai Truong says it took too long to reopen the case, and lay charges.

“I’m apologizing to the victim and to her family because it’s taken this long,” Truong told a new conference Monday afternoon.

“It should not take this long.  It should not take year and years for us to arrive to the outcome of today.”

He was asked during a press conference several times why it took so long to lay charges, but says he can’t provide an answer because they are part of the court case.

“It have to tell you I cannot answer why.  Why it took so long will form part of the proceedings.  It’s completely inappropriate for me to talk about those details at this time.”

Detective Sergeant Katherine Dann says the charges stem from one incident in 2018.

At the time, the case was closed, but re-opened again in 2022.