Flames forward Dube one of four 2018 Team Canada world junior players represented in court virtually for charges of sexual assault after Hockey Canada gala
More Dillon Dube news today as the Calgary Flames forward was represented virtually in court to a charge of sexual assault as part of the 2018 world juniors investigation.
Last week, news broke that Dube was confirmed to be one of five Team Canada players to be charged in relation to an alleged sexual assault in a hotel room following a Hockey Canada gala in London, Ont., in 2018.
On the same day the London Ontario Police Department held a press conference to give an update on the case, it was reported that the Calgary Flames would receive salary-cap relief as a result of the charges, with Dube unavailable to the club indefinitely — his NHL career potentially over regardless of the outcome of the upcoming trial.
An initial investigation was conducted from June 2018 to February 2019, which concluded with no charges. A comprehensive review was initiated three years later in July 2022. This review led to charges to Dube and four other players — Carter Hart (Philadelphia Flyers), Michael McLeod and Cal Foote (New Jersey Devils and Alex Formenton (a former Ottawa Senators player now playing in Europe).
They were all represented by their lawyers in court today by video call.
According to TSN’s Darren Dreger, the NHL teams affected will receive some form of cap relief to deal with the cap hits of the players involved.
Dube is in his last season of a three-year contract with a $2.3 million AAV. Any savings for the Calgary Flames on the cap front offers more flexibility as the NHL trade deadline approaches. They may have the ability to take on a bad contract for assets, as they also seek potential new homes for defencemen Chris Tanev and Noah Hanifin, and perhaps others unwilling to stick around as the Flames re-tool with a bit of a youth movement.
The Flames would still have Dube’s rights as an RFA this summer if they don’t completely cut ties with the 25-year-old.
Although Dube had been a model teammate in Calgary, his exit on the premise of a mental health leave has left a bad taste in the mouths of many now that the real reason for the departure has come to light.
The Flames have taken flack over their statement Dube was leaving to tend to his mental health, but the common belief — backed by NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman during his all-star availability — was that the teams were left in the dark as to the laying of charges.
Dube, who with three goals and seven points in 43 games has struggled all season after two consecutive 18-goal campaigns, was the first to take leave from his club among the four NHLers who were asked to turn themselves in to London police to face the sexual assault charges.