Assault charges dropped against former NHL star Vincent Damphousse

Vincent Damphousse speaks during his retirement announcement as his wife Allana listens, during a news conference in Laval, Que., on Sept. 7, 2005. (Paul Chiasson / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

MONTREAL -- The Crown has withdrawn domestic violence charges against ex-NHL star Vincent Damphousse.

The prosecution announced Tuesday that it has withdrawn six charges of simple assault against the ex-star, explaining its decision to do so after going over the case.

The withdrawal of the charges means an acquittal for Damphousse.

However, his ex-wife Allana Henderson will continue to face charges in a separate assault case where Damphousse is the alleged victim.

Her trial has been set for January 2015.

Henderson faces one charge of assault with a weapon, and with theft of a briefcase in March 2011.

Damphousse, who played in Toronto, Edmonton, Montreal and San Jose, had faced six counts of assaulting Henderson between 2008 and 2011. He had pleaded not guilty.

On Tuesday, he expressed relief the legal case was over.

"This is now behind me, I am relieved and I thank all those who supported me during that time," Damphousse said in a statement.

Damphousse says he'll spend the summer with his sons and asked the media to respect his privacy.

Damphousse was drafted sixth overall by Toronto in 1986 and, during an 18-year NHL career that ended following the 2003-2004 season, he won a Stanley Cup with the Habs and served as the team's captain from 1996 to 1999.

In 1,378 NHL games, he scored 432 goals and amassed 1,205 points.

He intends to return to French all-sports TV network RDS in the fall to resume his role as a hockey analyst.