Your comment was telling us, correctly I think, that it is hard to judge Beach unless we walked in his shoes. My comment was that the same is true of everyone we have judged in this case. Q was hunting a Cup, so were players. Some in management were new in their careers. I think it fair to judge all by the same standard. Beach could have done some thing differently, just like everyone else in this mess. He could have called the cops. Had he, there's a decent chance the next victim isn't a victim. I know some don't like this; but if we can say others must ignore financial and career risks to stop the monster, why doesn't Beach have the same obligation? Because it is hard. It was hard for all of them it seems.
- mohel

You make a good point. If I were a low level manager and a staff remember reported an incident I would feel compelled to report it to my direct manager or HR to deal with because a) I’m not equipped to deal with the sensitive issue myself b) It is not really my job to deal out disciplinary action and c) my boss wants me to focus on my assigned tasks.
Having said that, I would at least have a conversation with the victim or the person who reported it to me and let them exactly what I reported and to whom, so that they at least knew.

Stop being detectives and move on from the case already. It is beating a dead horse already. Time to focus on the team on the ice and how they can improve. This is a forum to focus on hockey, not to focus on sexual harassment and how things are handled within the Blackhawks org. Although it is public news now, we are not in a Sex addicts anonymous group and it's tiring to read about this stuff already. FOCUS ON THE ON ICE PRODUCT. Worry about yourselves, not what should happen or shouldn't. It isn't our place or case to try to solve or continue to discuss. Everything said in here is a rehashing of the same things we have talked about for the last 3 days. MOVE ON AND FOCUS ON HOCKEY, NOT THE STATE OF THE CASE.
- Hawk4life

we need to talk about it so there is awareness, people like you want to "move on" ie sweep it under the rug

Sounds self-serving to me, perhaps continuing to throw the teammates under the bus. Lots of praise for the integrity of the Wirtz family.
- mohel

I don’t find it self serving at all, but, if I were a cynical and suspicious fella, perhaps I would.
I think Sopel genuinely is supportive of Kyle and was legit bothered by what happened when it happened.
You have to remember that it really wasn’t Sopels place to speak up out of respect for the victim, at the time, but now most certainly is the time.

Your team is looking good. Hyman certainly gives the forward lines a different, better, look. I’d like their chances better with a different goalie.
- paulr

I guess but really, there’s like 5 really good goalies in the league right now and maybe another 5 that are pretty good. The vast majority of bubble starters, over the Hill also rans , early in their development or just plain mediocre like Smith.

Spot on

The pressure on him, in the hockey environment, as an unproven prospect was immense.
- pdx2ord

I find it disturbing how few men have a clue about rape and sexual assault victims. Do these people not have any Women in their lives?

Based on his coaching record, no thank you.

Plus you need a fresh start, someone who has no previous ties to the Blackhawks, in any capacity.
- LAHawk

Agree fresh eyes on the team and possibly a new way of thinking how the team should be constructed.

You make a good point. If I were a low level manager and a staff remember reported an incident I would feel compelled to report it to my direct manager or HR to deal with because a) I’m not equipped to deal with the sensitive issue myself b) It is not really my job to deal out disciplinary action and c) my boss wants me to focus on my assigned tasks.
Having said that, I would at least have a conversation with the victim or the person who reported it to me and let them exactly what I reported and to whom, so that they at least knew.
- HonkyTonkMan

One of the team's major failings, imo, was in (apparently) doing nothing to support him in the years after the event(s). They delayed getting rid of the perp until after the Cup finals, presumably to avoid the distraction. They did get rid of him, but they seemingly didn't do anything to try to help Beach deal with what he went through. This makes no sense to me. Even from a self-serving pov, wouldn't you want to maximize the odds that a top prospect reaches his hockey potential (note to pdx, I am NOT saying this SHOULD be their motivation!!!!)?

One of the team's major failings, imo, was in (apparently) doing nothing to support him in the years after the event(s). They delayed getting rid of the perp until after the Cup finals, presumably to avoid the distraction. They did get rid of him, but they seemingly didn't do anything to try to help Beach deal with what he went through. This makes no sense to me. Even from a self-serving pov, wouldn't you want to maximize the odds that a top prospect reaches his hockey potential (note to pdx, I am NOT saying this SHOULD be their motivation!!!!)?
- mohel

That would have been fine but you had a egotistical asshat running the show who only cared about he looked.

I don’t find it self serving at all, but, if I were a cynical and suspicious fella, perhaps I would.
I think Sopel genuinely is supportive of Kyle and was legit bothered by what happened when it happened.
You have to remember that it really wasn’t Sopels place to speak up out of respect for the victim, at the time, but now most certainly is the time.
- HonkyTonkMan

I am suspicious that you are calling me suspicious. Lol.

His comments were supportive of Beach, but I felt he was contrasting his actions at the time with the rest of his peers (except Boynton).

That would have been fine but you had a egotistical asshat running the show who only cared about he looked.
- rtang415

Yep, all about the brand. His.

Best if Patrick Kane just stayed on Covid protocol. What a piece of crap slimebucket he is
- Itsjustarash

#trollfail

Hey, something positive to talk about...

Ben Pope
@BenPopeCST
·
1h
It's pretty remarkable Phillips was a 5th-round pick just a year ago this month and his risen this far, this quickly.

He'll also become the first Team Jamaica hockey alum to play in the NHL

Isaak Phillips will make his NHL debut tonight. His parents flew from Toronto to Raleigh this morning to see it.

"It's just really exciting for me and my family."
- Chunk

For the love of god, keep the video coach away from him.

I find it disturbing how few men have a clue about rape and sexual assault victims. Do these people not have any Women in their lives?
- HonkyTonkMan

I'm thinking probably upstairs in the main living area of the house

My guess is that the length of time and severity of backlash to the organIzation will track closely to wins and losses. Not saying that's how it should be just that that's what society demands, a winner, and that's how this nightmare was made possible in the 1st place and will happen in some form again as it forever has.

In most any walk of life, sports or the real world, discretions are overlooked as long as results are produced.
- Mr Ricochet

That might be true in Chicago, but I doubt it matters to all of the other Hockey fans across North America.

Bettman favors Canadian teams! For the sake of consistency, Chevy should have been forced to resign also. I guess some in management are free to "mess up". Bad optics for the NHL!
- powerenforcer

Americans: Bettman favors Canadians

Canadians: Bettman favours Americans

Bettmans: I hate you all equally

I am suspicious that you are calling me suspicious. Lol.

His comments were supportive of Beach, but I felt he was contrasting his actions at the time with the rest of his peers (except Boynton).
- mohel

True but keep n mind he was in the bracket of older , more worldly and mature players on the club. Anybody over 40 knows their interpretation of right and wrong gets much more precise as we age, if we’re conscious about it. His thoughts n the matter in 2010 were probably much different than that of a 22 year old .

I'm thinking probably upstairs in the main living area of the house
- BetweenTheDots

You’re probably right.

Sounds like they are saving Fleury for the Blues. Wonder how he's feeling getting moved into a 1A/1B type scenario. Thought he was unhappy with that with Lehner in Vegas, but maybe he knew that's what he was getting here.
- pdx2ord

He's lucky he's already in Rockford

Americans: Bettman favors Canadians

Canadians: Bettman favours Americans

Bettmans: I hate you all equally
- DarthKane

You pretty much got it right. I’ve heard Leaf fans whine that Bettman hates Canadian teams, the Leafs in particular.

Kudos on the American vs Canadian spelling.

#trollfail
- Ogilthorpe2

I already threw a comment out about Trolls keeping their mouth shut that your team may be next.

This. Well said.

Even with the report, we still do not know what exactly went down, in detail. Hell, the report even explains the conflicting versions of events between Aldrich and Beach.

Let's not forget that even the Blackhawk HR Department screwed up. It was the head of HR that agreed to let Aldrich spend his day with the Cup, and participate in the parade and celebration.

If a trained HR professional screwed up, do really expect a HC going after his 1st SC, as well as a 1st year GM, do everything perfectly?

For me, the guy that f'd up the most was McD.
- scottak

Obviously McDonough is more contemptible. I understand the old guard way of responding and am satisfied with their penalty, albeit much after the incident. Those who resigned their jobs should also personally apologize even if in a zoom call..Sure it is a tough position to be in for all concerned. The coaches needed to be professional and not bow to the old school reaction. Whomever did the taunting needs to be browbeat and shown the error of hus ways so that he is pissed off and realizes what a bigot and bully he is...was wrongful.

For the love of god, keep the video coach away from him.
- Ogilthorpe2

Isn't that Marc Crawford's son?

Bettman favors Canadian teams! For the sake of consistency, Chevy should have been forced to resign also. I guess some in management are free to "mess up". Bad optics for the NHL!
- powerenforcer

Did he do anything? I get what you are saying, but if he didn't do anything or wasn't involved, its kind of hard to punish him.

I've not heard a lot about his involvement, and no I didn't read the report.

Did he do anything? I get what you are saying, but if he didn't do anything or wasn't involved, its kind of hard to punish him.

I've not heard a lot about his involvement, and no I didn't read the report.
- vabeachbear

He was the low rung on the totem pole at the meeting. The people he would of reported it too were already present in the room.

Did he do anything? I get what you are saying, but if he didn't do anything or wasn't involved, its kind of hard to punish him.

I've not heard a lot about his involvement, and no I didn't read the report.
- vabeachbear

I read the explanation from Bettman. Chevy was I one meeting where it was only generally discussed and by the time there were further meetings he was in Winnipeg.