Not as bad. All good, lets move on. Holy poop. LMAO.
- kwolf68

Seriously, dude. If you are trying to equate harassment with assault, you are diminishing assault victims everywhere.

Yes
- tazer_and_diet

Nothing here absolves them of any wrong doing. At the first sniff of a coach pressuring and threatening a player they should have acted swiftly and harshly.

Seriously, dude. If you are trying to equate harassment with assault, you are diminishing assault victims everywhere.
- tazer_and_diet

Kyle Beach did NOT levy charges of "harassment", he told them exactly what happened. Hawks brass didn't care, it appears to be a serious point of contention with the players. If it's "no big deal" then why are players running into the woods holding their ears screaming?

This was a disaster on every level, glad you can find something positive about being at ground zero of a nuclear bomb. LOL

Seriously, dude. If you are trying to equate harassment with assault, you are diminishing assault victims everywhere.
- tazer_and_diet

And you are seriously (frank)ed in the head.

I'm not blaming one or the other, but seems to me that all that needed to be done when the incident came to light was for Q to converse with Bowman and tell him they need to send Aldrich home immediately and tell him they don't want him around the team any longer. At that point they just continue to pay him but notify him the matter would be dealt with after the playoffs ended. And then fire him for cause.
- RickJ

No, you have to fire him immediately as soon as you know he did "something wrong."

You gotta wonder if the mental trauma caused by this POS Aldrich actually didn't derail Kyle's career. His settlement should come with multiple 0s and it still won't be enough.

Akim Aliou was the guy Windsor Spitfires Captain Steve Downie told to get naked with four other rookies and cram together in the bus bathroom. Aliu refused and he and Downie got into a number of fights. Aliu being a rookie and younger was accused of being a trouble maker while Downie being older and the captain wasn’t disciplined. I’m sure it didn’t help Aliu’s career.
- paulr

He is also Black which made it more difficult for him in a hockey world.

Back to the dark days for a loser franchise. All the good will for me is gone. This organization will forever have a black eye. The 2 faces that put relevance back to the organization are no better than the top brass that covered things up. Toews and Kane need to go and this organization needs to hit the restart button. So disappointing to hear 19 and 88 speak about the situation. Q also very pathetic, really hope Bettman hammers him and Chevaldayoff. I need to go to bed, really embarrassed to be a Hawks fan. Feel buffaloed to be a Hawks fan tonight, sad day keeps getting worse when I think about all the truly pathetic people in this organization that I rooted for. I really hope many Hawks fans boycott this organization for awhile because I don’t want to support liars and has beens that refuse to tell the truth. Goodnight all, too pissed to go any further.

Honestly, as horrible and his apology was utter bullpoop, but it appears Bowman has actually been pretty truthful about all of this. he spins it a bit, doesn't man up and say I NEEDED TO BE BETTER, but in the end it does look like he's trying to be honest. More than I can say for Mustache and Chevy up in the Peg.
- kwolf68

He's also probably the only one in the joint who actually did what the manual told him to do. McD and Gary took active steps to injure and shame Beach. We can agree to disagree about whether Stan should have done more, but to equate his actions with those of McD, Gary, Q and the players who hazed him is wrong, imo. Those guys all actively participated in hurting Beach; Stan's sin was not going to Rocky.

And you are seriously (frank)ed in the head.
- TurdFergeson

That's some high end discourse that advances the discussion!

Except at that time they didn't know about the assault, they only knew about the harassment. But don't let the facts get in your way.
- tazer_and_diet

I think they knew all. But for arguments sake....
Even if they only knew about the sexual harassment, it included using his future “job security” as blackmail essentially. How does that make it any better?


To Hawk fans, I feel for you. The last 24 hr have been rough, heartbreaking and disgusting. I’ve read through yesterday and today’s posts, and for the most part (a few exceptions that have been called out), you all should be proud of yourselves. You have voiced your disgust, your support in Kyle and all he had to endure , and have held those accountable, who should be. Hats off to you.

I hope that Q gets his tomorrow, rightfully so. Chevy on Monday

But seriously, what about Fehr?? The players need to get his butt out of the nhlpa asap as well. Beyond disgusting

Curiosity has me wondering if players will be named going forward. For Kyle to be taunted/teased/bullied after having to endure all that he did......they should be called to the mat as well imho

As a Hawks fan I am rocked. I am sick.

Toews attitude is heart-breaking. This is a kid who was "wise beyond his years", youngest captain in Hawks history, was kind enough to get to know everyone in the Hawks org, even the dude who sharpens skates, all class, all world, all leader.

Until today. His pathetic rise to being a full blown apologist for 2/5 of the men responsible for what happened to Kyle Beach, but also the 16 year old kid in Michigan who never would have been assaulted had the Hawks brought this Brad Aldrich scumbag to justice was mind blowing.

In "Captain" Toews comment today TWO words were missing: "KYLE" and "BEACH". Tazer, you have failed as a captain and most importantly as a human being. I thought you were better.

Easily the worst day in the history of this franchise. They literally had the most talented team in the NHL between 2010 and 2015, but none of that matters now. It's all garbage, the Cup is garbage, their legacy is garbage. I just want one guy other than Brent Sopel to come out and say THIS WAS BULLpoop, IT WAS WRONG and I SHOULD HAVE DONE MORE to help this kid instead of the back rubbing bullpoop I saw from Jonathan Toews tonight. Just unbelievable.
- kwolf68

I feel the same. I just want one player to admit he knew and did nothing about it because he either didn’t care or was afraid. One guy being honest would be a breath of fresh air.

I never said that they shouldn't have addressed it, they definitely should have. However, harassment is obviously less serious than assault and provides some context for the decision at the time, although wrong, was not as heinous as people are making out.
- tazer_and_diet

They may have learned that it was assault if they, ya know, looked into it.

LOL not quite as bad as 19, but laughable. At least Kane had the stones to mention Kyles name.

It appears every response so far has been made so as to be a fluffer for Stan Bowman. Stan is a great man. Bla Bla Bal. He's not a great (frank)ing man, he's a chump. The "had this been now" Stan would have spoken up is pure conjecture and absolute bullpoop. When "the great man" Bowman was faced with a difficult choice he turtled. (frank) him and (frank) the other losers in that room who sacrificed Kyle Beach.
- kwolf68

That's not all he said, that was one snippet where he unfortunately, but understandably, mentioned the guy he's been close to since he lived with the family his rookie year. He acknowledged it was the right move to can the both of them.

Amongst other things, he also said: "he doesn't know if Beach wants to talk to him, but he'd like to talk to Beach if he's willing and tell him he's sorry he didn't know and do more."

I'll acknowledge that both, especially Toews', were full of "yikes" moments, and PR did them a grave disservice. Today should have been about Kyle and no one but Kyle.

There is so much conflicting information out there. Sopel even walked back a bit today on some of his earlier assertions. Look at all the media guys who were all listening to these at the same time. Every one of them put out different quotes from same points in the speeches. The misquotes, or half quotes, or just talking points out of context, designed to prove an existing assumption or stoke outrage is completely out of control right now. (and not just around this story)

Just an awful response. I do not see either words, "Kyle" or "Beach". This is about HIM. PERIOD. Do these players have PR advocates that can tell them what to say and not come off as insensitive apologists for an organization that clearly (frank)ed up?
- kwolf68

Well to be fair to Toews, he was answering a question about Bowman, He talked about Kyle Beach earlier in his comments.

That's not all he said, that was one snippet where he unfortunately, but understandably, mentioned the guy he's been close to since he lived with the family his rookie year. He acknowledged it was the right move to can the both of them.

Amongst other things, he also said: "he doesn't know if Beach wants to talk to him, but he'd like to talk to Beach if he's willing and tell him he's sorry he didn't know and do more."

I'll acknowledge that both, especially Toews', were full of "yikes" moments, and PR did them a grave disservice. Today should have been about Kyle and no one but Kyle.

There is so much conflicting information out there. Sopel even walked back a bit today on some of his earlier assertions. Look at all the media guys who were all listening to these at the same time. Everyone of them put out different quotes from same points in the speeches. The misquotes, or half quotes, or just talking points out of context, designed to prove an existing assumption or stoke outrage is completely out of control right now. (and not just around this story)
- pdx2ord

Mark Lazarus in particular is our for blood. He was ranting in an interview about everything from the Indian head to Beach on Marek’s podcast. Don’t know why he’s trying to appear purer than anyone in history, he did the same thing during the Kane 2015 scandal and branded anyone who defended Kane a rape supporter. I like the Athletic’s reporting but Mark is a bit too woke for my tastes, and I’m painfully liberal.

I feel the same. I just want one player to admit he knew and did nothing about it because he either didn’t care or was afraid. One guy being honest would be a breath of fresh air.
- HonkyTonkMan

Or, since they seem hesitant to name the guys who were taunting him "for legal reasons," I'd be happy if he would name the guys who stuck up for him or didn't make those horrible remarks. Are there any guys we can continue to respect?

The NHL is about to get a tsunami of incoming pressure from a whole different sport's fanbase and followers:

Aly Raisman of the USA Gymnastics team, and one of the faces and most outspoken voices for the victims of Nassar, just tweeted her support for Kyle.

We'll see if this and Kyle's coming forward starts a #MeToo like movement up and down the hockey world. We know it's not unique to Chicago and i doubt it will be contained there. Bettman does not address crises well (CTE anyone?).

How is this relevant?

I don't care if Kyle Beach mainlined Angel Dust 24 hours a day. It is not relevant to the issue at hand.
- kwolf68

It’s very relevant. In the interview he stated he turned to alcohol and drugs after the incident. But, I’m pretty sure he was already deep into alcoholism prior to the draft because it was one of the reasons he dropped in the draft. Thus, this would be considered suspect. Also, it would go to his mental status and judgment making.

That’s why I asked for clarification.

It’s very relevant. In the interview he stated he turned to alcohol and drugs after the incident. But, I’m pretty sure he was already deep into alcoholism prior to the draft because it was one of the reasons he dropped in the draft. Thus, this would be considered suspect. Also, it would go to his mental status and judgment making.

That’s why I asked for clarification.
- Diamondhands

You just perfectly described a situation where an abuser targets someone. Predator finds prey. All that AND a career to lose?
As a former Penn State fan, I feel for you back in the day Blackhawk fans. This is nuts.

Someone help my memory,

Wasn’t Kyle Beach known to be a hard core party guy before being drafted?
- Diamondhands

Yup, Guy had about a million red flags

Kyle Beach did NOT levy charges of "harassment", he told them exactly what happened. Hawks brass didn't care, it appears to be a serious point of contention with the players. If it's "no big deal" then why are players running into the woods holding their ears screaming?

This was a disaster on every level, glad you can find something positive about being at ground zero of a nuclear bomb. LOL
- kwolf68

I wonder which version of "what happened" he told

The one where the woman they brought back to Aldrich's apartment didn't come in and left, OR the one the woman told where they all played strip poker, got naked and both performed oral on her. Then she left and waited for a Taxi for 45 minutes while they both stayed up in the apartment

Which version did Beach share with management?

It’s very relevant. In the interview he stated he turned to alcohol and drugs after the incident. But, I’m pretty sure he was already deep into alcoholism prior to the draft because it was one of the reasons he dropped in the draft. Thus, this would be considered suspect. Also, it would go to his mental status and judgment making.

That’s why I asked for clarification.
- Diamondhands

I understand what you are saying he had issues before the draft it was spelled out in his draft profile but in this environment that will have no standing

New blog! A summary of Kyle Beach's emotional yet courageous interview and related comments.

Plus, a summary of the Blackhawks OT loss to the Maple Leafs extending their losing streak to 7 games (0-5-2).

https://bit.ly/3mk1s1w

I understand what you are saying he had issues before the draft it was spelled out in his draft profile but in this environment that will have no standing
- oldduffman

It’s not about environment. He said in the interview he turned to alcohol and drugs AFTER the incident. When I feel pretty confident he already was deep into alcohol. That’s an inconsistency.