Sheldon Kennedy never imagined a moment like this two decades ago. As recently as 2018, Kim Davis wasn’t anticipating it either.
On Monday, the duo led a discussion with the 32 NHL general managers at their annual meeting — their first in-person gathering since March 2020, due to the pandemic.
A meeting in line with the league’s desire to continue to highlight issues of safety, inclusion and respect.
“What I’ve learned over the years is that if we take it step by step, constantly trying to do the right thing, there will be good results,” Kennedy said.
“The conversations have been incredibly rich,” added Davis, the league’s executive vice president of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs.
Kennedy, who played 310 NHL games, was the voice of victims after he was sexually assaulted by then-coach Graham James while playing junior hockey.
The 52-year-old’s Respect Group organization announced a partnership with the league at the league’s governors meeting in December.
Kennedy said the off-ice changes must continue, as hockey has been plagued by racism and the Blackhawks sexual abuse scandal of late.
“Often one of the catalysts for change is when incidents happen,” Kennedy said. You can put your head in the sand or you can recognize that, “You know what? We have to do better at this level”. »
Maple Leafs general manager Kyle Dubas, Jets counterpart Kevin Cheveldayoff and Jim Nill of the Stars, who form an inclusion committee, all spoke at a panel discussion moderated by Davis.
“It was an excellent stage just [d’avoir]a conversation all together, said Dubas. Kim and Sheldon were exceptional, but Kevin Cheveldayoff and Jim Nill, people who have been in hockey for a very long time, share and are very [ouverts] about their experiences, it was great. »
Cheveldayoff was a member of Hawks management when former player Kyle Beach’s abuse allegations came to management’s attention and little was done.
“What’s important is that it becomes intertwined,” Davis said. Which means we want to do it right. »
Kennedy said players today and in the future need to be ready for conversations about potentially inconvenient issues.
Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes said he was impressed by what was shared on Monday.
“My children and young people today have a better chance of growing up in a more understanding environment,” he said.
“We’ve also learned from public mistakes that the consequences are quite significant.”
“We don’t just sweep them under the rug. There is a greater sense of responsibility to create a [meilleur]environment. »
Kennedy was encouraged by the tenor of the discussions and the reaction in the room.
“I probably had a preconceived idea of what it would look like,” he admitted. I was rather impressed by the openness and honesty in the conversations. »