Friday 29 October 2021
Abuse affair in ice hockey
Erfurt top division player shakes the NHL
An abuse affair over ten years ago caused a sensation in the NHL. Because of the allegations by professional Kyle Beach, the head coach of the Florida Panthers has now resigned. Dealing with the case casts a bad light on the entire league.
Major league ice hockey in Erfurt – you can hardly be further away from the NHL than Kyle Beach. But that’s exactly how he wants it. The Black Dragons do everything “to make us feel safe and included,” said the 31-year-old, “and that’s something I really appreciate in my current career.” In the NHL, he experienced the contrast program, his shocking story shook the North American professional league. The abuse allegations are not only getting into trouble for ex-club Chicago Blackhawks. Dealing with the case casts a bad light on the entire league.
The independent investigation report published on Tuesday suggests that eleven years of attempts to sweep the rape allegation under the rug. There was now an official apology from the Blackhawks and the NHLPA players’ union, a fine for Chicago of two million US dollars and personal consequences such as the resignation of Joel Quenneville as head coach of the Florida Panthers on Friday night.
“Big steps in the right direction”
For Beach these are “big steps in the right direction”, but he also emphasizes: “My fight is only just beginning.” His big goal is an independent contact point for those affected like him, he calls it “a safe place in the world of sport” in the big TSN interview. He also wanted to encourage athletes who would have similar experiences: “I am a survivor. And I know that I am not alone.”
This is what the Beach case is about: The then 20-year-old was pulled up by the Blackhawks in 2010 for the play-offs from the AHL into the professional squad. During this period, an assistant coach is said to have sexually abused him. The first round pick from 2008 confided to the skating coach according to their own statements, a little later, according to the research report, a small group of executives discussed it. The then Blackhawks coach Quenneville was apparently just as much a member as club president Stan Bowman, who took his hat on Tuesday.
Those responsible then did: Nothing. One of them is even reported to have said that the chance of the Stanley Cup was more important than the allegation of sexual assault. At the end of the 2009/10 season, the Blackhawks actually made themselves NHL champions – and the accused cheered. Beach, who was part of the championship team even without an NHL game, felt “like nothing” at the moment. And worse, “I felt like he was right and I was wrong.”
“I admire Kyle Beach for his bravery”
Only after the end of the season was the assistant coach accused by Beach given the choice: termination or investigation of the case. He decided to resign. Otherwise there were no other consequences at the time.
The NHL openly admits failures. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said he was “appalled” at how poorly Beach was supported in his lawsuit and regretted “everything he went through.” I admire Kyle Beach for his courage to come forward.
The player had once tried to numb the past with alcohol and drugs. The experience would have “destroyed him from within”. It is difficult for him to go public because he has to go through everything again. But it is also “a big step in the healing process”.