Stan Bowman made a promise to himself for his return to the National Hockey League (NHL). “These things will never happen again under my watch,” said the new general manager and vice-president of hockey operations of the Edmonton Oilers, introduced Wednesday at a press conference.
Bowman is referring to his 12-year stint as general manager with the Chicago Blackhawks, which included three Stanley Cup victories but was marred by the mishandling of sexual assault allegations by Kyle Beach in 2010.
Bowman left his role with the Blackhawks in October 2021 and was subsequently banned by the NHL, along with longtime coach Joel Quenneville and executive Al MacIsaac, after an independent investigation.
“I didn’t handle things properly, I should have done more,” Bowman said. “It’s something I regret. I’ve had a chance to reflect and I’ve tried to learn from it.”
Beach alleged he was assaulted by video coach Brad Aldrich during Chicago’s 2010 Stanley Cup-winning season and that the team mishandled the incident. In 2013, Aldrich pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a high school hockey player in Michigan.
An investigation commissioned by the Blackhawks found their response to the allegations inadequate. Quenneville subsequently resigned as head coach of the Florida Panthers, while Bowman and MacIsaac left their positions in Chicago.
The three men were banned from the NHL until commissioner Gary Bettman reinstated them on May 1.er July.
“Let me be clear, what happened to Kyle Beach in 2010 was wrong,” Oilers president and CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson said at Wednesday’s news conference. “It’s horrible. It wasn’t handled well at the time. But I think Stan takes responsibility.”
Bowman, 51, becomes the 11e Oilers’ all-time general manager after 20 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, including 12 as GM. Bowman replaces Ken Holland, whose contract was not renewed.
The Oilers, led by Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, are coming off a 49-win season and lost in the Stanley Cup Final in seven games to the Panthers.
One of Bowman’s first orders of business will be to negotiate a long-term contract with Draisaitl, who could become an unrestricted free agent after next season. McDavid’s contract expires on May 1er July 2026.
Jackson, for his part, is well aware that this hiring could provoke negative reactions from some supporters.
“Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” he acknowledged. “They have opinions on firing coaches and trades. I think the decision to bring Stan in is in the best interest of the organization.”
“Stan’s performance over the next few years here will dictate how they respond. I think they’ll give him a chance now that some of the facts that weren’t known are now out in the open,” the CEO said.