Acquittal of former NHL players sends shockwaves through community of advocates for sexual assault victims

As the trial of five hockey players concluded, reactions poured in from across the hockey world and from those who advocate for sexual assault victims.

The acquittal of five former NHL players on sexual assault charges Thursday sent shockwaves through the hockey world and among advocates for sexual assault victims.

“Sadly, I would say that I was not surprised whatsoever,” said Danielle Aubry of Calgary Communities Against Sexual Abuse.

Aubry said the verdict will further erode trust in the judicial process for survivors seeking justice.

“We have a six per cent reporting rate of sexual violence in this country,” she said.

“So we also have to remember that there’s that whole 94 per cent that don’t come forward. And, for the six per cent that do, only three per cent end up in trial.”

Former Calgary Flame Dillon Dube was among the accused. Dube had taken a mental health leave and was suspended by the team during the 2023-2024 season before being charged, and his contract expired that summer.

Greg Gilhooly, a lawyer and sexual assault survivor who was abused by his former coach Graham James, also reacted to the verdict.

“The legal system kicks out legal results. It doesn’t kick out truth or justice,” said Gilhooly.

“My guess is that if you’re a really, really good hockey player, you’re going to be welcomed back into the NHL. And if you’re a bubble hockey player, NHL teams are going to say that you’re not worth the trouble.”

Stacy Lorenz, Vice Dean of the University of Alberta’s Augustana Campus and a legal expert who researches hockey culture, violence, and masculinity in sport, said there remain persistent and troubling issues within high-performance athletics.

“I think that whichever way this case went, it wasn’t going to, you know, solve any problems that we see with sport culture and hockey culture,” he said.

The NHL announced that the five acquitted players are currently ineligible to play in the league while it reviews the judge’s findings.

The league described the allegations in the case as disturbing, even if not determined to be criminal, and unequivocally called the behaviour unacceptable.

The Calgary Flames did not respond to requests for comment regarding Dillon Dube’s verdict.