Oilers name ex-Blackhawks executive Bowman as general manager

EDMONTON — Stan Bowman made a promise upon his NHL return.

"These things will never happen on my watch again," the Edmonton Oilers new general manager and vice-president of hockey operations said Wednesday.

He was referring to a 12-year tenure as the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks — a stretch that included three Stanley Cup wins now marked by the organization's mishandling of sexual assault allegations made by then-player Kyle Beach in 2010.

Bowman stepped aside from his duties in Chicago in October 2021 and was subsequently banned by the NHL, along with longtime coach Joel Quenneville and Blackhawks executive Al MacIsaac, after an independent investigation.

"I didn't handle things properly, I should have done more," Bowman said. "That's something I regret. It's something I've had the chance to reflect on and I've tried to learn from."

Beach alleged he was assaulted by Chicago video coach Brad Aldrich during the team's Stanley Cup season, and that the team didn't do enough after he brought it to the organization's attention. In 2013, Aldrich pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a high-school hockey player in Michigan.

An independent investigation commissioned by the Blackhawks concluded their response to the allegations were inadequate. Quenneville later resigned as Florida Panthers coach, while Bowman and MacIsaac left their positions with Chicago.

All three were barred from management and coaching positions in the NHL until commissioner Gary Bettman reinstated them earlier this month.

"Let me be very clear, what happened to Kyle Beach in 2010 was wrong," Oilers CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson said during Wednesday's press conference at Rogers Place. "It was horrible. It wasn't handled properly at the time. But I think Stan has acknowledged his responsibility."

Bowman began speaking to Beach in the summer of 2023. He had initially reached out soon after he left the Blackhawks and didn't get a response. Encouraged by sexual assault survivor, victims advocate and former NHLer Sheldon Kennedy, Bowman tried again.

Bowman said he's worked with the hockey teams at Trinity Western University, where the former player is an assistant coach.

They also chatted Tuesday night ahead of the Oilers' announcement.

"I don't want to share the details," Bowman said. "It was a very encouraging conversation."

The 51-year-old becomes the 11th GM in franchise history after 20 seasons with the Chicago Blackhawks, including those 12 years as GM. He replaces Ken Holland after his contract was not renewed following five campaigns in the Alberta capital.

Jackson said the Oilers would be willing to contact Aldrich's second victim, but that person's identity has not been revealed publicly.

Bowman has spent 2 1/2 years away from the NHL, but has spent time working in the safe-sport sphere with The Respect Group, which was co-founded Kennedy.

"I've learned some things that I didn't know," Bowman said. "I feel I've learned some ways that I could do a better job in the future."

He said he's committed to "working on the culture of hockey."

"The only way to do that is to learn from the mistakes that were made and to try and improve," Bowman said.

Kennedy was a victim of former Swift Current Broncos coach Graham James, who was convicted in 1997 of sexual assaulting players in the Western Hockey League between 1986 and 1994.

Kennedy was in attendance at the press conference to support Bowman.

"There was some good that came out of a really terrible situation," Kennedy said. "I hope this builds confidence around issues that I think carry a significant amount of fear. One of the biggest barriers we have in doing the right thing in this space is not just confidence, but knowledge.

"I'd never talked to Stan before, then we just started talking. I asked him, 'What would have made a difference in that situation in Chicago that we can maybe help with?' I wanted to learn about that. We went down the path of trying to understand that and how we can best make a difference."

Edmonton, led by star forwards Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, is coming off a 49-win season that culminated with a seven-game loss to the Florida Panthers in the Stanley Cup final.

One of Bowman's first orders of business will be to get Draisaitl, who is now less than a year out from unrestricted free agency, signed long-term with Edmonton. McDavid's current deal expires July 1, 2026.

Jackson, meanwhile, is aware there will be scrutiny — and even backlash — from some fans regarding the hire.

"Always entitled to their opinions," he said. "They have opinions about firing coaches and making trades. I think the decision to bring Stan in is in the best interests of the organization.

"Stan's work 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 haven't been out there are now getting into the public."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 24, 2024.