(New York) NHL has said it will not sanction Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, saying he was not responsible for how the Chicago Blackhawks handled assault allegations sexual against a former assistant instructor.
The announcement came after Cheveldayoff met with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman in New York City to discuss whether Cheveldayoff had played any role in the Blackhawks’ reaction to the sexual assault allegations made by the Kyle Beach vs. Brad Aldrich on the team’s journey to winning the Stanley Cup in 2010.
Bettman clarified that Cheveldayoff, who was the Blackhawks’ assistant general manager at the time, was not on the senior management team.
“While at some level it would be easier to view everyone as responsible by association, I believe the principle of fairness requires a more in-depth analysis of each person’s role,” Bettman said in a statement. .
“Kevin Cheveldayoff was not a senior member of the Blackhawks in 2010, so I cannot hold him responsible for the actions or inactions of the club.
“He reported on his degree of involvement in the matter, which was limited exclusively to his attendance at one meeting, and I found him to be extremely open and credible during our discussion. “
The NHL move came the day after Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville, who was head coach of the Blackhawks at the time of the alleged incident, resigned.
Blackhawks general manager and president of hockey operations Stan Bowman and senior executive Al MacIsaac resigned shortly after the report was released.
“First and foremost, I want to express my support and empathy for Kyle Beach and for all he’s had to endure since 2010,” Cheveldayoff said in a statement. He was incredibly brave to tell his story. We can all use his courage as an inspiration to do a better job and make hockey safer for everyone who wants to play.
“In addition, I would like to express my gratitude to the National Hockey League for the opportunity to meet with Commissioner Gary Bettman, in person, and to directly share my role and memories of the events while I was Assistant General Manager of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2010. ”
The independent investigation by law firm Jenner & Block was commissioned by the Blackhawks in response to two lawsuits filed against the team: one by Beach and another by a former Aldrich student for which he was convicted of assault in Michigan.
The report said Bowman, MacIsaac, Quenneville, Cheveldayoff, then team president John McDonough, former executive vice president Jay Blunk and mental preparation coach Jim Gary met to discuss the incident on May 23, 2010, just after winning the Western Association final.
Former federal prosecutor Reid Schar, who led the investigation, said the minutes of the meeting “varied considerably.” But there is no evidence that anything was done about the accusations before McDonough contacted the team’s human resources director on June 14 – a delay that violated team policy on the matter. of sexual harassment, according to Schar.
Cheveldayoff has been the general manager of the Jets since the team moved from Atlanta to Winnipeg in 2011.
The Jets have made the playoffs once in the first six seasons after making their home in Manitoba’s capital, but Cheveldayoff has finally put together a competitive squad by adding players like Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender Connor Hellebuyck and the excellent forwards Mark Scheifele, Kyle Connor and Nikolaj Ehlers thanks with draft picks.
The Jets are off to a good start to the season (4-2-1) and will face the Sharks on Saturday night in San Jose.