Former NHL Player Facing 20 Years In Prison Takes A Surprising Turn

In recent media reports, it has been confirmed that former NHL forward Mike Ribeiro has been acquitted of two counts of sexual assault.

The jury reached a deadlock on a charge of attempted sexual assault, leaving the possibility of a retrial on that specific count, as highlighted by TSN's Rick Westhead.

The legal proceedings involved Ribeiro facing charges of two counts of sexual assault and one count of attempted sexual assault.

Alleged incidents took place on Lake Cypress Springs on June 23, 2021. Last week, the case took a significant turn as the third woman accusing Ribeiro of sexual assault testified. The accusations involved an assault on his boat and two separate incidents on a Waverunner jetski with individual women.



Ribeiro, with a history of previous accusations, notably facing sexual assault allegations from a former nanny in 2015, resulting in a settlement between the parties, was potentially looking at up to 20 years in prison. However, he has been found not guilty.

Despite a career boasting 793 points in 1,074 games with the Montreal Canadiens, Stars, Washington Capitals, Phoenix Coyotes, and Predators, Ribeiro's legacy has been marred by legal troubles rather than his on-ice achievements. The recent legal developments add another layer to the complex narrative surrounding Ribeiro's life and career.