In the world of hockey, the St. Louis Blues have made a significant move by signing Dillon Dubé, a former member of Canada’s 2018 world junior team, for an American Hockey League professional tryout. This development marks a significant turn in Dubé’s career, as he was the only remaining unsigned player amongst his teammates who had been acquitted in a high-profile sexual assault case. This article will delve into the details of the signing and what it means for both Dubé and the Blues.

St. Louis Blues Sign Dillon Dubé

As announced by the general manager Doug Armstrong, the St. Louis Blues have signed a deal with 27-year-old Dillon Dubé, a former Calgary Flames centre. Dubé, alongside fellow forwards Michael McLeod and Alex Formenton, defenceman Cal Foote, and goaltender Carter Hart, were acquitted in a sexual assault case in London, Ontario, related to an incident in 2018.

NHL’s Stance on Acquitted Players

The National Hockey League (NHL) has declared that players acquitted in the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial can return to the league. Carter Hart, who is now with the Vegas Golden Knights, is the only one amongst the five who has played in the NHL since the trial concluded last summer. Meanwhile, Foote has signed with the AHL’s Chicago Wolves, Formenton is playing in Switzerland, and McLeod is in the Russia-based KHL.

Dubé’s Career and Future with the Blues

Dubé is set to report to the Springfield Thunderbirds once he receives his work visa. Prior to this, he played 42 games with Dinamo Minsk of the KHL last season. He was with the Calgary Flames from 2018-24. This new development marks an exciting phase in Dubé’s professional career and a fresh start with the St. Louis Blues. In a similar move, the Blues had signed winger Milan Lucic for an AHL professional tryout and later released him from it.

With this new signing, the Blues are demonstrating their trust in Dubé’s abilities and his potential to contribute significantly to the team. The move also indicates the league’s commitment to upholding the principle of innocence until proven guilty, allowing acquitted players an opportunity to re-establish their careers.

Ethan Radcliffe

Ethan Radcliffe is a senior reporter and digital editor at The Toronto Insider, specializing in Canadian federal policy, GTA urban development, and national economic trends. With over a decade of experience in North American journalism, Ethan focuses on translating complex legislative and economic developments into clear, accessible reporting for Canadian readers. Ethan’s work emphasizes policy analysis, government accountability, and data-driven reporting, with a strong focus on how federal and provincial decisions impact communities across the Greater Toronto Area and beyond. He has covered infrastructure planning, housing policy, fiscal strategy, and regulatory changes affecting Canadian households and businesses. A graduate of Toronto Metropolitan University’s School of Journalism, Ethan brings expertise in investigative reporting, long-form analysis, editorial standards, and digital publishing best practices. His reporting is guided by verifiable sources, public records, and transparent sourcing. In addition to reporting, Ethan has experience in newsroom editing, fact-checking workflows, SEO-informed journalism, and audience analytics, ensuring stories meet both editorial integrity standards and modern digital discoverability requirements. Ethan is committed to objective, fact-driven journalism and adheres to established ethical guidelines, prioritizing accuracy, clarity, and public trust in all reporting.

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