We have all seen and learned about what a disgrace the Chicago Blackhawks have been regarding Brad Aldrich and the handling of his sexual assault against Kyle Beach. From the top down, it was gross negligence and a product of a culture that lacks a backbone to stick up for others in a non-hockey related and meaningful way. It showcased a complete lack of empathy and an abdication of what it means to be a fellow human being in a society. What transpired was a complete disgrace and the response hasn’t been much better.
If you ever wondered, Monday was proof — Gary Bettman and the NHL are who we thought they were.
— Sean Gentille (@seangentille) November 1, 2021
The worst parts of a bad day, and why they were so bad: https://t.co/acYAYYzBHq
Now, we are going to start finding out more about the Penguins and their potential sexual assault cover up in the coming weeks and months.
Legal team for Erin Skalde announces in a media advisory that she will file a lawsuit in state court and will detail allegations of sexual assault against Clark Donatelli and will also name Pittsburgh Penguins, Bill Guerin, owner Mario Lemieux and Ron Burkle as defendants in suit
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) November 2, 2021
The Penguins try to pride themselves on being a franchise that is for the community and leans into their PR of being for everyone. This lawsuit has the potential to permanently damage their efforts on this front and if the allegations are true it very much should. There are things the Penguins have done over the past few years, which I am not going to get into detail about here, that have shown them to be more talk than action. This situation involving the Skaldes obviously being the worst of all. Whatever happened deserves to come to light. The alleged victims in this case are willing and able to discuss what transpired and the public should be able to know. The details shouldn’t be hidden behind arbitration.
Attorney for Jarrod Skalde has also reached out to the Penguins, submitting in writing a request that 1) the team open an independent investigation into the matter and 2) the pending litigation from Jarrod's claims be resolved in open court rather than arbitration https://t.co/WT7p4I7Tyo
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) November 2, 2021
I can’t think of anything more disappointing a sports franchise could do than to disregard the personal safety and well being of another human being, especially in the domain of sexual assault. I don’t know about anybody else, but how could you support such a lack of empathy and decency at that point? These are supposed to be communal institutions, at least they pretend to be.
As of now these are allegations and the parties in question will have their day in court. If the worst-case scenarios play out I am hoping the Penguins finally back up their talk about being for everyone and lay the hammer down and cleanse the entire organization. If the situation with the Blackhawks has been any indication it is already likely too little too late. The Penguins response could easily be interpreted as victim blaming by referencing why Jarrod Skalde waited seven months to report the incident.
Statement from the Penguins: pic.twitter.com/YxHXWAWxnE
— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) November 2, 2021
Anybody well versed in abuse understands there are many reasons why abuse victims don’t report right away. Among them: fear of retaliation, shame, reporting to an individual who did nothing, do not want family or friends to know, and a fear of lack of evidence to name a few.
I don’t expect the Penguins to handle this situation with grace or dignity. They’ve done nothing to show they will. I expect more bad news to come. But hey, hockey is for everyone.
Thanks for reading!