Has Any Work Been Done?

Hidden amongst the signings and trades yesterday was a small announcement from the NHL that they had decided to allow all three of former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman and former Blackhawks coaches Joel Quenneville and Al MacIssac to return to the NHL if they so choose to do so beginning on July 10. The fact that this decision was announced on a day when most people were seeking information on who their teams signed is one thing, but I'm wondering how the NHL came to this decision after all three showed zero regard for a player who was sexually assaulted. What has changed?

Back in October 2021, the three men mentioned above - Bowman, Quenneville, and MacIsaac - were banished from the NHL over the findings in the Jenner and Block report regarding how the Chicago Blackhawks handled the sexual assault allegation that came from former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach. Based on what was contained within the report, it was fairly clear that a number of people were indirectly responsible for allowing former video coach Brad Aldrich to commit his heinous crimes, and I honestly believe these men should never work in the NHL again. By doing nothing, they made it clear they didn't want nor respect that privilege.

Yesterday, though, the NHL had a change of heart and reinstated the three men for employment. In their release, the NHL wrote,

"For more than the last two and a half years, these individuals have been ineligible to work for any NHL team as a result of their inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Blackhawks' Player, Kyle Beach, had been assaulted by the Club's video coach. While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has acknowledged that and used his time away from the game to engage in activities which not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what happened, but also evidence greater awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL personnel have, particularly personnel who are in positions of leadership.

"Moreover, each has made significant strides in personal improvement by participating in myriad programs, many of which focused on the imperative of responding in effective and meaningful ways to address alleged acts of abuse. The League expects that they will continue this commitment in any future capacity with the NHL and/or one of our Clubs."

That's a lot of words to say that the NHL is convinced that these men have changed, but it's time to produce receipts to show that these men have done the necessary work as cited by the NHL to prove that they've learned how to be better. The NHL can spin this story however it likes, but without the necessary proof of the changes mentioned in the statement above there's zero credit given by me based on how poorly these men acted in the past.

"But what about second chances, Teebz?" you ask.

Look, I'm all for people EARNING a second chance. It's not simply given, though. No one gets that benefit after allowing something as horrific as the sexual assault of a player to happen under their watch and then turning a blind eye to it because it may disrupt a Stanley Cup run. In what world would anyone be ok with that?

If the NHL or these three men can produce the receipts showing that they've put in the time, effort, and learning required to be better people as part of society, I'd have no problem allowing them back into the hockey world which, as I've stated many times, is a microcosm of our society. There is no credit in these circumstances for saying one did something without hard evidence of that being the case. Either these men did the work required to be a part of the hockey world and can return or they didn't and can watch from the sidelines like the rest of us. There is no middle ground here.

For the NHL to bury this announcement on one of its busiest days on the calendar is simply ignorant from a number of angles, but it really shows that the NHL hasn't learned anything over the years nor does it listen to its fans about the meaningful changes they want to see in the game. It was pretty clear that fans from all teams came together to support Kyle Beach, and the demand for a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to any domestic, sexual, or physical assault away from the rink should be a pretty easy target for the league to hit.

Yet it missed that target by a country mile once again.

A two-year banishment for allowing sexual assault to go on within the Blackhawks' walls is punishment that simply doesn't fit the crime after Kyle Beach's career came to an end following the assault he endured. In no way should these men be allowed to return without some very clear receipts on the changes they made, and any team that employs them in the near future without full disclosure about the steps they took in becoming better deserves to be cursed until that employment ends. There was a serious sex crime that was committed, and these three men decided it was in their best interest to do nothing about it until they got caught.

Sometimes, it's easy to hate the NHL. This is one of those times.

Until next time, keep your sticks on the ice!