Former Blackhawks GM gets surprising support for Oilers' top job
Photo credit: Team USA Hockey
Former Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman poised for possible return with Oilers, receives endorsement from Sheldon Kennedy.
Former Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, whose career was shadowed by the 2021 Kyle Beach assault scandal, might soon be taking a major step back into the NHL spotlight as the next general manager for the Edmonton Oilers.
In recent developments, Bowman received a notable endorsement from Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHL player and co-founder of Respect Group, which has stirred mixed reactions across the sports community.
Kennedy, an advocate for respect and accountability in sports, shared a compelling letter on social media last Wednesday, advocating for Bowman's return to the league.
According to Kennedy, Bowman has taken significant strides in addressing and understanding the gravitas of the events that unfolded under his previous tenure with the Blackhawks.
« I was immediately struck by Stan's genuine care and concern for Kyle, and what could have been done differently. During that period, we spoke almost daily about the seriousness of sexual abuse from the victim's perspective. We didn't talk about hockey at all. We focused on what went wrong, what he could have done differently and, most importantly, what could be done to prevent this from happening again. »
Kennedy further highlighted Bowman's personal growth and accountability.
« Stan exemplifies this to me. During our many conversations he took accountability for his actions and genuinely wanted to learn how to do better. His desire to acknowledge his mistakes and make amends with Kyle was sincere »
The prospect of Bowman's appointment has ignited a spectrum of opinions among fans and players alike, with many pondering whether they can support a figure who was previously linked to such a profound controversy.
The NHL community is keenly watching to see if Oilers' CEO Jeff Jackson will officially appoint Bowman as the GM in the imminent announcement expected later this week.
The decision is set against a backdrop of increasing scrutiny over how sports organizations address and learn from past missteps.
As the Oilers consider integrating Bowman into their leadership, the overarching question remains: Can the hockey world, especially the victims and advocates of respect in sports, truly reconcile with his past actions and welcome his future contributions?
The coming days will be crucial in shaping not only Bowman's professional redemption but also the Oilers' ethical standing in the NHL.
| POLL | ||
18 JUILLET | 52 ANSWERS Former Blackhawks GM gets surprising support for Oilers' top job Did the NHL make a mistake reinstating Stan Bowman to the NHL? | ||
| Yes | 35 | 67.3 % |
| No | 17 | 32.7 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
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