Eks Note. If you, or someone you know, is a victim of sexual abuse…I’m so sorry. I can only imagine what you face every day. It must be beyond horrible to talk about and torturous to to have to live with those memories. At the bottom of my article I have put in some information on just two of the organizations, one in the States and one in Canada, who have highly trained people sitting by phones 24/7/365 waiting to listen and help you. It’s entirely confidential, and it’s completely 100% free of charge.. You might not think a stranger can help you through something so personal, but in my experience, they truly can. I know it’s not nearly the same thing, but I’ve been very quietlybattling depression for the last few years. Through that process I’ve come to realize it’s incredible, even unbelievable, how caring and comforting someone who understands and doesn’t judge you can help, They can allow to get back parts of your life that have been taken by your condition..These people/angels are able to help you both mentally, and even legally, survive with ahead. Perhaps most importantly, they will help you learn how to help yourself… this is a personal journey and takes work, but it is possible to laugh again. As you know when you get deep and dark helping yourself as the last thing you would think as possible.

So please….Don’t hesitate. It’s not your fault. Please call or encourage someone you know going through this to call one of the organizations at the bottom of this article. Also….this wasn’t an easy article to write. I am not saying in any way, or trying to prove, Carter Hart is innocent or guilty. Only people who were there have any inclination as to which is the case. We all have to wait for the courts to decide.

I know this topic has a risk of triggering people in various ways. I encourage you that if you for any reason feel uncomfortable with this discussion in any ways, you probably should trust your own boundaries and just watch some great hockey that’s on right now….. thank you. I truly hope you’re OK.

Now onto my hockey story….

So it was reported this week that Carter Hart has pleaded “not guilty.” to the court in Ontario. This case could go on for months is really all we know. And that truthfully is all we should know to protect the accuser and the accused from pointless public opinion at this point.

With this news i was getting the question, “If he’s proven innocent, would the Flyers bring Carter Heart back?” I generally try to respond quickly to questions people ask me. But this question has some serious levels to it. So I spent the last four days really thinking about it. The question wasn’t “Should they?” It was “Would they?” And I had to acknowledge it was a very different question. So I talked to some people I thought might know, and no one has any idea if that’s in the plans or not. So I decided to answer based on my own experience with the Flyers Organization and Carter while he was in Philadelphia. I didn’t know him before. I don’t know what happened. If he’s proven guilty, he should absolutely go to jail and he banned from the NHL for life. That’s a big IF though. And I do believe in innocent until proven guilty.

You probably remember last year when theFlyers made some very strong statements as Carter Hart was released by the team.. There have, of course, since been a lot of gossip that videos exist showing what players might have also been involved, who might’ve tried to stop the situation, but ultimately didn’t… to my knowledge, none of the videos have been publicly verified. There are many questions still unanswered. Nothing will be public until the courts, and jury, have come to their verdict on all of the players under investigation for alleged sexual assault.

In fact, among the hockey media at least, I’ve been told that some in Canada especially were warned that any leaks reported as fact will not be looked fondly upon by the Canadian judicial system If you want to hear anything about this case you’re gonna have to wait. If you want to learn more about the signif procedures and Canadian laws regarding these matters, I highly recommend googling Rick Westhead. He is an incredible Canadian reporter.

Despite the gag order, there have some American reporters who are writing Carter Hart is pleading “not guilty.” I’m not sure if they knew this because they heard this through the grapevine or if they are just assuming because….well we know he’s not likely to be pleading guilty..One person who reported this currently works occasionally for the flyers. Which might be nothing.

Please take this whole article as ONLY my own thoughts based on my experiences with the Flyers and Carter Hart… I don’t know anything on, or off, the record about the allegations. I’m not being told anything about the case.

But what if if Carter is proven innocent? Could the Flyers welcome him back?
First off, logistically for that to happen Carter would have to first appear before the NHL in a separate hearing, and the NHL would have to decide whether or not to allowhim back in the game. Only if they say they are comfortable with him and he can re-enter the NHL can the Flyers discuss a new contract. From what I understand he would be a UFA and could sign with any team…. Sources have been a little unclear whether the flyers would have the first chance to sign him if they wanted to. Some have said since they voided his previous contract, the flyers would not be allowed to sign him again. I checked with a couple people at the NHL and they did not believe that to be the case. I am waiting for a few more to get back to me who I know would know the answer to this question. I will say, the NHL is usually pretty good at making those judgments based on situation and cause. Unless a rule has been specifically made for these players in this case, the NHL generally understands that all rules cannot be applied to all circumstances.

Here’s what I do know about Carter Hart.
If you were to ask me, before all this happened, Who is the least likely person to be involved in this kind of situation, I would have responded, almost immediately,Carter Hart.

Why would I have said this? Becausepreviously everyone around the team was always talking about all the unsung good stuff he was doing in the community. I would often hear people say he is the most giving person. Despite the fact he’s one of the youngest players on the team. Someone even goes so far to say he was doing more than any player has done in a long time. And make no mistake about it, there are several flyers who are amazing and continue doing amazing work for the community. I’ve never heard a story of any flyer at any time refusing to do something for charity… well, I did hear about two players who did kind of bail on a charity event, but they were traded the next day.

You would always hear Carter Hart was above and beyond… I had some direct experience with this myself. I have a child who has health issues and has had to go to the Children’s Hospital in Philadelphia (CHOP) countless times over the last several years. The people who work at that magical place are the kindest and most positive people in the world.

Anyone who has child with a serious condition knows we can’t put enough importance on Children’s Hospital workers. I honestly don’t know how they do it. For me, it would be too emotional to see so many kids hurting. I’m just not strong enough. But my daughter is. She going to medical school in the fall, and currently doing overnight shifts at a hospital emergency room. She tells me the stories and I’m seeing strength in her I never knew anyone had. Why is she doing this? Many reasons. First, she’s just a positive influence on the world, but alsoshe also went with us to CHOP many times to support and cheer up her brother and we often talked about how amazing and important the doctors and nurses were… and I know one other reason, because she told us. One of the first reasonsshe wanted to go into medicine to was to find a cure for her brother’s rare disease. I don’t know if there’s anything a parent could be more proud of, and slayed by, than to hear one of their children say that. And I think she’ll do it too.

Anyway, I’m telling you all of this because I got to know a lot of people at CHOP, and once I was talking to one of the nurses about the Flyers. She had a Flyers pin on. She then told me that Carter Hart was her favorite of all the Philadelphia athletes,because she knew him. I asked her how she knew him and she said Carter is such a regular visitor to the hospital that he would remember the kid’s names, even her name. She said he would always find ways to cheer up some the kids, especially the ones in the worst conditions. At the time she told me not to write about it, because she knew Carter wasn’t doing it for the recognition. She knew that’s becauseHe wouldn’t allow the Flyers or even the local news to follow him around and film him. I did yesterday get confirmation from a former flyer who he said that it was 100% true. So I feel comfortable writing about it and he said he said he hoped I did write about it.

just because he did good things and was a good guy in Philadelphia doesn’t mean he’s still not guilty. We just don’t know.

I’m just relaying what I know of Carter Hart during his time with the Flyers. I didn’t know him when he was 18 and this incident happened. I’m just talking about the great things I heard when I did know him. And I enjoyed interview him quite a bit. He came off as most hockey players do more humble than he should’ve been for his level of play on the ice.

What about the Flyers..Here are some of my experiences that make me question if the flyers would take him back if he was found not guilty of all charges…

When everything went down last season, the team was right to make a big deal about Carter Hart being released from the team even though he he hadn’t been proven guilty. The Flyers have a high moral standard for their players, and true or not, the organizations character had come into question. Also, the NHL is really strict on as they call it, “Even the appearance of evil.” I swear they really do call it that, but to be fair with these kind of accusations at hand, people will make up their minds even without any proof whatsoever. Pro sports teams need to get out of the way until the verdict is announced. The league has always had a very firm NO tolerance policy on anything involving abuse.

I wonder what exactly the Flyers said to Carter when they told him he was being released

Understand, I have no idea what was said to him when he last met with the team behind closed doors. But it’s pretty logical that they said something close to one of the possibilities below.

#1. “This is the end of your career with the Flyers. Even if you’re proven innocent, we can never welcome you back. People always will have a question in their heads, and we can’t have that distraction. It’s not fair to the team.”

#2. “ We hope you can understand why we’re doing what we’re doing and saying what we’re saying. We have no choice at this point but to take a harsh and firm stand. All we have seen while you have been here is your constant dedication to charitable work, which makes these accusations all the more surprising to us. However we do believe a person in innocent until proven guilty. If it turns out you are proven and found innocent, beyond a shadow of a doubt, we would welcome you contacting us again.”

What Statement Do I Believe is Close to What Happened?

I don’t know for sure. I don’t know at all. But #2 is what I Would understand based on my dealings with the team.

I have known the people currently in flyers management for quite a few years now. In many dealings with them, including doing a TV series for them called FlyersBuzz TV, I have found everyone to be very solid, good people. I believe them to be honest and found that they appreciate honesty in return.

It’s also in the Flyers DNA

Ed Snider, long ago, set the tone and mission statement to treat all people the same and to be kind and give everybody who deserves a chance, a chance. We are still seeing this today through his most loved community project, “The Ed Snyder Youth Hockey Foundation”… which is still going strong years after his death. And the Flyers organization and employees really do still live by this code today. Talking to them, in their offices, you will quickly realize how seriously they believe in it, and try to live by it.

There is nothing in this team‘s DNA that would lead me to believe that if someone was proven innocent, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the Flyers wouldn’t back them and give them an honest chance.

“Were the flyers OK with the report that he was pleading, not guilty?”

With the the media lockdown on the Carter Hart case as tight as it is, I did for a moment wonder if they were ok with this report. I contacted two trusted people, but expected, I got no response to my text inquiries. It was clear they weren’t going to say anything about this to anyone. A stance they have consistently held in this case.

Saying nothing, sometimes is saying alot
So here is where my experience comes into play. I’ve learned with teams that NOT saying anything, often says everything. Because of my job, I often have to pester Gms about rumors that are gaining strength among insiders, players, players, friends, etc. I used to be terrified. I didn’t want to pester these guys or be the jerk that they hate to hear from. I mean, why the hell would they talk to me about a rumor? I was relieved when I found out for the most part they would say, “ I know you have a job to do, you’ve always been respectful about it, we’re good with you.” Phew… they are still cool about it. Still can’t understand why they would be cool with it so I asked one of them that I knew would give me a real answer and his reply was, “ I know you talk to so many people and I’m interested in even the BS that’s out there, so feel free to text me anytime.” So I text them.

I have learned for the most part that I’m OK texting anythingI am hearing, no matter how crazy. But they are clear and they want me to know that if they don’t have time to get to me, I shouldn’t expect a response.

But you know what usually happens?
I do get a response and quickly. But they only reply to me when the rumor isn’t close to being true…Why tell me this? I have asked and they usually say they know I talk to a lot of people in the biz and they want me to squelch it ASAP. They worry it might infiltrate the locker room. They want the players to feel secure and to not be distressed by some ridiculous rumor. They say this to them directly, of course, but they feel the players will be more certain if they also hear it is fake from someone without a horse in the game.

Why else do they share? Well sometimes when they get back to me they are looking for some clues as to who I heard this from. They know my response is always the same,” I don’t name names, and if I did name names, you wouldn’t be talking to me now.” Almost everyone has respected that reasoning. And because of the privacy they feel, they are more comfortable to talk to me about things.

Only once in 20 years did a gm tell me something wasn’t happening and it happened an hour later. And they even tried to get through to me to tell me it was back on…. But at that very instant, I didn’t hear my phone as I was coaching my daughter’s soccer team at Beachblast in Wildwood, New Jersey. One of my favorite events.

And once an agent and tried to totally screw me. And I haven’t talk to him since. But even with him, I don’t name names…. Now until I retire and release my tell all book. LOL.

Why did I spend so much time explaining this system?

I just wanted to back my conclusion a little bit and give you a little peek behind the curtaiin.

It is possible the Flyers not saying anything back to me in response to my question about If they were OK with the information of Carter, pleading not guilty being out there… could be something… but I’m not gonna say I’m sure of anything.

So those are my arguments as to why, despite anything that’s been speculated about or written about prior. I do believe if Carter Hart is found innocent of all charges….beyond a shadow of a doubt, my somewhat educated guess, based on past experiences, is that there is actually a pretty good chance Carter Hart WILL return to the Flyers.

If he’s proven innocent. And only if he’s proven innocent. It will have nothing to do with the flyers wanting to solve the goalie problems. Of that I am sure.

Lets talk about this…What do you think?
The the question here is really not:
What would you do if you were Flyers management?
Although feel free to mention that as well in the comments..

The question here is:
Do you think the Flyers will give Carter Hart a chance is he is proven innocent, beyond a shadow of doubt?

#40

ARE YOU, OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW SUFFERING?

Studies say, the sad truth is, a person who is sexually abused will rarely report the incident. Most don’t say anything due to the potential further embarrassment brought on by the process and because court records rare eventually made public…and that means their names will be out there, and the events that occurred will be out there.. Our current court procedures should be changed immediately. Full Stop. No individual should ever be made to feel afraid to tell a judge or jury in fear of the many cruel people on the internet….posters who do get to not reveal their name. That’s the worst irony ever.

But there really is hope.

If you, or somebody you know, is a victim of sexual abuse, there are people out there who are trained, compassionate, and waiting by a phone 24/7 to help you through recovery, both mentally and evenlegally…

RAINN is Anerica’s largest anti-sexual violence organization. RAINN created and operates the National Sexual Assault Hotline in partnership with more than 1,000 local sexual assault service providers across the country. Their service is 100% free of charge and anyone can call them confidentially 24/7/365 at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673). I checked with RAINN and you don’t need to be an American to call or receive their help.

However, if you are a Canadian and would rather talk to someone in Canada you can call 877-392-7583 to be connected to SALAL: The Sexual Violence Support Center. Their service is also completely confidential and free. 24/7/365. I called them and asked them if I could mention them in this article, explaining the premise. And they were so Canadian kind.. There’s nothing to be afraid of when you call them. I promise

Finally I know how hard times are for most of us right now financially. These places accept and live on donations. It is completely understandable if you just can’t spare it right now..it is enough to send these positive energy to the people/angels who are helping so many. Just as important you can help someone by passing along these organizations should you come across someone you know or fear may be hurting. If you do happen to find yourself in a better financial position than most, and if you’re moved to make a difference with your donation, just go to their website and give anything you can.

Thank you

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