I spent a solid ten minutes trying to come up with a punchy title to really reflect my thoughts here. Then I realized it didn't need to be punchy, there is no place for wit or a fun play on words. The NHL continues to showcase that hockey is in fact not for everyone and that individuals, that in any other work setting would never be allowed to work again, are given chance after chance.
The Edmonton Oilers and Jeff Jackson have hired Stan Bowman, who was complicit in the Kyle Beach sexual assault and assaults of a high school and university student. For the record, any time I write Stan Bowman, who was complicit in the Kyle Beach sexual assault and assaults of a high school and university student, I will be including that second part. Get used to it.
Here are the facts:
Stan Bowman, who was complicit in the Kyle Beach sexual assault and assaults of a high school and university student, knew about the incident of Brad Aldrich sexually assaulting black ace player Kyle Beach, during the 2010 playoff run and did nothing about it until after the playoffs were finished as "they did not want it to be a distraction."
Stan Bowman, who was complicit in the Kyle Beach sexual assault and assaults of a high school and university student, would then go on to provide Aldrich with letters of recommendation for jobs at Miami University and Houghton High School in Michigan. Aldrich would sexually assault students at both jobs.
---
The Oilers have given second chances in the past to some less than reputable individuals but there has always been some level of justification. Evander Kane was brought in at a time when he was in a very public feud and legal battle with his ex, with a number of ugly things said. We may not have all the facts on that one now but there is at least an understanding that his ex was not a stable individual and the courts granted him full custody of their child.
Corey Perry was brought in after an incident with the Hawks led to his termination. This story we don't have all the details on either but reporters had stated that the Hawks only terminated him because of their recent history with the Kyle Beach incident that Stan Bowman, who was complicit in the Kyle Beach sexual assault and assaults of a high school and university student, was a part of.
There is no excuse or justification for this second chance. This is an embarrassing decision by Jeff Jackson and the Edmonton Oilers and erases any of the good things that have been done this off-season.
I will continue to write about the Edmonton Oilers here on HockeyBuzz but I will not be writing anymore as a fan. I simply cannot condone what has been done.
People deserve second chances... but the NHL is the pinnacle of hockey in the world; the top floor suite. Stan Bowman, who was complicit in the Kyle Beach sexual assault and assaults of a high school and university student, may very well deserve a second chance, but not as a GM. He could work as an advisor for a team, work with international hockey to try and ensure incidents like what happened in Chicago can never happen again.
Instead the NHL and now the Edmonton Oilers have simply allowed him right back in with open arms. Here is what Jeff Jackson said in his statement,
"I am excited and pleased to be welcoming Stan to the Edmonton Oilers, 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."
The Edmonton Oilers and the NHL are garbage.
Thanks for reading.
Edmonton Oilers Blogger • 
Join the Discussion:
»