Stan Bowman became the first former Blackhawks executive involved in the 2010 sexual assault scandal to be re-hired by a NHL team on Wednesday, when the Oilers named the 51-year-old as their new general manager less than three years after he resigned for his mishandling of Kyle Beach’s allegations against then-video coach Brad Aldrich.
Earlier this month, the NHL reinstated Bowman — as well as ex-Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville and ex-executive Al Maclsaac — after indefinitely banishing the three from the league.
All three men, as well as Blackhawks president John McDonough, executive Jay Blunk and assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff, were informed of Beach’s allegations following the Blackhawks’ 2010 Western Conference Final win that sent them to the Stanley Cup Final, according to an independent investigation commissioned by the Blackhawks and detailed in the Jenner & Block report.
Nothing was done with the allegations and Aldrich was allowed to remain in his post, with the report finding that Quenneville verbalized his concern for the playoff run rather than the safety of his players.
Not only did Aldrich have his name chiseled into the Stanley Cup, but he got his day with the trophy like everyone else who is part of a championship club.
Aldrich was then convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a 16-year-old high school hockey player he’d previously coached in Michigan three years later.
“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,” an NHL news release said. “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.”
Bowman replaces Ken Holland, who was not extended by the Oilers after the organization’s Game 7 loss to the Panthers in the Stanley Cup Final.
According to multiple reports, Quenneville and Bowman have been actively trying to put in the work to make amends with the NHL. Bowman, who also had to resign as GM of the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team in 2021, was reportedly a candidate for general manager jobs last summer, but nothing was able to come to fruition until now.
“I am excited and pleased to be welcoming Stan to the Edmonton Oilers,” Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson said in a team release. “I believe his vast experience and proven success in this role, together with the important work he has done in his time away from the game, fits our goal of being best in class when it comes to all facets of our organization.
“Through our many conversations, we share a common vision of where we are as a team and what is required to achieve another Stanley Cup title.”
If you have been sexually assaulted and live in New York, you can call 1-800-942-6906 for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the state, you can dial the 24/7 National Sexual Assault hotline at 1-800-656-4673.