Dillon Dube, Acquitted Hockey Canada Player, Returns to NHL

Lost amongst all the insanity of a wild 1st of July free agency and trading frenzy was the fact that the St. Louis Blues handed out a one-year, $850K contract to Dillon Dube. He becomes the second of the five acquitted players from the Hockey Canada sexual assault case from the 2018 World Junior Hockey Championships to earn another NHL contract. 

The Blues have signed Dillon Dube to a one-year contract. https://t.co/9PKRXb6N7e pic.twitter.com/LHIwKFnXpC

— St. Louis Blues (@StLouisBlues) July 1, 2026

Dube last played in the NHL during the 2023-24 season with the Calgary Flames. He had back-to-back 18-goal years prior to that. The 27-year-old center played in Russia in the KHL during the 2024-25 season, and suited up with the Blues' AHL affiliate in Springfield this past year. 

New Blues GM Alex Steen has addressed the signing of Dube, who joins Carter Hart as the only two of the five acquired players to be given another NHL chance.

New Blues GM says they are a 'second-chance organization' in explaining Dube signing

"We brought him in in December (on an AHL deal), so we've had an opportunity to get to know him," Steen said. "He wants to be a positive influence, and he's had a positive influence on that (Springfield) team. He approaches it with a sincerity and a humility... 

"This has always been a second-chance organization, and this is Dillon's opportunity, and we feel confident giving it to him to fight for a spot on our team next year."

Dube had 20 goals and 37 points in 46 regular-season games with the Thunderbirds last season, and added eight points in 12 AHL playoff games. 

Overall, in 325 NHL games, all with the Calgary Flames, he post 57 goals and 70 assists for 127 points, along with 387 hits. 

Dube, and the other four former Canadian World Junior team players involved in the sexual assault case, were found not guilty by an Ontario Superior Court Judge in July 2025.