Disclaimer: This story contains details of sexual assault which may be difficult for some individuals. If you or someone you know is in need of support, you may find centres, crisis lines and services listed at EndingViolenceCanada.
It was confirmed yesterday that Calgary Flames forward Dillon Dube was one of five players charged with sexual assault by the London Police Service for his involvement in an incident that occurred in 2018 with the Canadian U-20 World Junior team. Dube was the captain of this team.
Here is the timeline of Dube’s alleged involvement in this case. This will be updated as more information is revealed.
June 18, 2018
The victim, known as EM, was sexually assaulted in a hotel room following a Hockey Canada event held earlier that day.
April 20, 2022
EM filed a sexual assault claim in the Ontario Superior Court in London. The defendants in this case were Hockey Canada, the CHL, and eight members of the Canadian U-20 World Junior Team. The eight were not named, known only as John Does 1 through 8. The plaintiff asked for $3.55 million in damages for the distress caused by the situation.
May 24, 2022
The NHL was made aware of the lawsuit. No statement was issued.
May 26, 2022
A settlement was reached. TSN‘s Rick Westhead broke the story that Hockey Canada had settled this lawsuit the same day. Because the case was settled, the allegations were never proven to be true in court. The full details of the allegations are outlined in the original article by Westhead, but they are distressing in nature.
May 27, 2022
The first statement from a player denying involvement in the case was released by Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar.
June 20, 2022
The Standing Committee on Canadian Heritage launched an inquiry into Hockey Canada’s handling of the 2018 sexual assault case. It was revealed that accused players were not compelled to participate in the investigation, and while most did voluntarily cooperate, between four and six players declined to participate.
July 18, 2022
Dave Cowan of O2K Sports, Dube’s agent, released this strongly worded statement to the Toronto Star indicating that Dube did not engage in any wrongdoing:
All of CBC News’ questions will be asked and answered during the pending NHL investigation. Dillon did not engage in any wrongdoing, and he co-operated fully with the independent London Police Service investigation in 2018, through which all players were then cleared of any wrongdoing.
Naming Dillon or attempting to associate him in any way with alleged criminal wrongdoing, or alleging that he was not co-operative with the London police or was unwilling to co-operate with Hockey Canada, will constitute materially false statements constituting defamation causing serious financial and reputational harm.
Dave Cowan to Kevin McGran
September 23, 2022
Dube speaks about the incident for the first time publicly in conversation with Sportsnet‘s Eric Francis, almost four months after the story was broken by Westhead:
I’ve co-operated in any way possible and will continue co-operating. I’ve done everything I can to co-operate. I will continue to do that. With it going on, I wish I could share more, but that’s kind of all I can share up to this point.
Dillon Dube on the ongoing sexual assault case
September 24, 2022
Dube adds to his statement made the previous day:
With (the investigation) going on, I wish I could share more. But that’s all I can share to this point. I would love to be transparent. I know that’s all I can really say on it to be honest. For me, I wish I could tell.
Dillon Dube on the ongoing sexual assault case
January 18, 2024
The last time Dube played, was at home against the Toronto Maple Leafs.
January 20, 2024
Dube was a scratch in the Flames’ Battle of Alberta home game against the Edmonton Oilers, the team citing “sickness” as the reason.
January 21, 2024
The Flames released this statement:
Dillon Dube has been granted an indefinite leave of absence from the team while he attends to his mental health. Dillon is under the care of health professionals, and we request that Dillon’s privacy is respected during this period.
Calgary Flames statement on Dillon Dube
January 22, 2024
Dube’s Flames teammates offer supporting messages for his well-being, including Oliver Kylington who did not play hockey for 20 months due to personal mental health struggles:
I’ve played with Dubes for a long time. I know him pretty well and I’m not sure what he’s going through, but I’m there for him when he’s ready and he wants to share. I know how it feels. So I’m there for him and I think the whole organization supports him and his decision and just wants him to feel better and take those steps to get back.
Oliver Kylington on Dillon Dube’s leave of absence, reported by Sportsnet’s Eric Francis
January 24, 2024
Westhead breaks the news that five players from the 2018 team have been ordered to surrender to the London Police Service. In the coming days, four additional players were granted indefinite leave of absences from their respective teams: Carter Hart from the Philadelphia Flyers, Michael McLeod and Cal Foote from the New Jersey Devils, and Alex Formenton from HC Ambri Piotta in Switzerland.
Following the Flames’ game later that day, head coach Ryan Huska was asked about the report:
I saw the reports this morning just like everybody else but I don’t have any information on it at all, I’m sorry about that.
Ryan Huska on the report, reported by the Calgary Sun’s Danny Austin
January 30, 2024
TSN reports that Dube is one of the five individuals told to surrender to London Police, along with the four other players identified above.
Dube’s counsel confirmed this with a statement later in the day:
STATEMENT BY LOUIS P. STREZOS AND KALEIGH DAVIDSON
We are counsel for Dillon Dube. The London Police Service have charged Mr. Dube with sexual assault. He will plead not guilty and maintains his innocence. He will defend the allegations in court. We ask that you respect the privacy of Mr. Dube and that of his family.
There will be no further comment at this time.
Statement from Louis P. Strezos & Associates, legal counsel for Dube
At exactly 6:00 PM local time, the Flames released a statement on Dube, following confirmation that he has been charged with sexual assault:
We have now become aware of the charge of sexual assault that has been laid against Dillon Dube. We take this matter very seriously. Because the matter is now pending legal proceedings, we will have no further comment at this time.
We had no knowledge of pending charges at the time Dillon’s request for a leave of absence was granted.
Press release from the Calgary Flames after confirmation that Dube is charged with sexual assault
February 5, 2024
It is anticipated that the London Police Service will hold a press conference to update the public on the ongoing sexual assault case.
2026
The trial for the case is unlikely to before 2026. This was shared by Westhead who said this projection was given by lawyers who specialize in criminal sexual assault cases.
Timeline updates
Timeline updates will be provided as more information is released.
