Today, the Edmonton Oilers pulled defeat from the jaws of victory.
News this morning that the Edmonton Oilers have named Stan Bowman as general manager and executive vice-president of hockey operations. If things break right, he might hold the job as long as the Seth Jones contract he authored in July 2021 (runs 2029-30).
This is a hire that will be controversial, divisive and explodes a brilliant summer by the organization.
Why would the Oilers hire Bowman? Management obviously feels he is the best man for the job. The question for Jeff Jackson and the organization is ‘was Bowman the best candidate available?’ and he sure better be with what will come from this announcement. The media avail will be torture for all, as difficult questions will have to be asked and answered. Bowman was cleared by the NHL and is now the face of the Edmonton Oilers.
I expect we’ll hear the organization say that they are excited to get Bowman, who is less than three years removed from his Chicago resignation.
I don’t think Bowman’s resume is close to the best available. I think the organization fractured the fan base and I do not believe it will be worth it in the end.
On Sports 1440 today, we’ll be joined by Bruce McCurdy from the Cult of Hockey at the Edmonton Journal and of course your comments are welcome. I’m at Lowetide on twitter, in the comments section here and on the Sports 1440 text line at 1.833.401.1440 directly.
I think everyone needs to take a breath and not get themselves too emotionally invested in this hiring. Or, to be more exact, I think there are folks who are getting themselves worked up into the kind of lather on this that’s probably best left for the victims and their families.
Yes, I understand that there’s a comfort-level with this kind of hiring and it may well be based on our own individual life experiences. I get that. But I also think that there are a lot of us who need to make darn sure we’re not allowing ourselves to become unnecessarily prostrate with guilt or moral indignation over this hiring, either.
Bowman’s involvement in the incidents from years ago are well-documented, but the facts are these: At no point were criminal charges ever contemplated against Bowman. The NHL did act, however, and he was kicked out of the league for two years. The NHL approved his reinstatement after reviewing the work he put in to educate himself about sexual assault and safer workplaces. One of the victims, Mr. Beach, has publicly approved and endorsed his reinstatement. The hockey world’s pre-eminent advocate for sexual assault victims, Sheldon Kennedy, has also publicly approved and endorsed his reinstatement after working with Bowman directly. In light of all that, I would suggest that Bowman’s done more work to atone for his mistakes than most have in similar situations.
If that’s still not enough for you and you’re done with this organization, go in peace. But I hope you’ve made sure that the reason you’re leaving is a personal one, specific to your own life experiences. If it isn’t, then I would advise you to be careful investing such an emotional stake into something that’s outside your world because that is not a good path. Don’t allow yourself to co-opt what Mr. Beach or any of the other sexual assault victims went through simply out of obligation, or what the social media pack is doing. Don’t allow yourself to ignore the healing the victims have undergone; instead, respect that the healing has given them the strength to not only forgive Mr. Bowman, but advocate for him.
And, furthermore, respect that Bowman earned it.
The reason why our society puts a high value on second chances is because they’re not easily given, or easily earned. Mr. Bowman earned his from one of people he unwittingly hurt. Bowman put in the work for it, but Mr. Beach also endorsed this second chance because he’d healed enough to support it – indeed, he’d worked with Bowman directly and helped him achieve it. Don’t circumvent that simply because you feel Bowman deserves no mercy or a second-chance or that you feel the victims are still be in need of your moral support and the energy of your righteous indignation – solicited or not. That’s no way to live. If they’ve healed and moved on, you can move on, too. That’s the better way to live.
I haven’t agreed with everything I’ve read in these comments but I have valued the context provided by many. Having been 100% against this hiring weeks ago, nor terribly nuanced myself—I don’t think this requires nuance if you simply don’t hire the guy, the simple and obvious path— but we are here now and I need to learn how to deal with it. I’m not sure where this will go.
I think the more seemingly rational minded here, those offering extended rationalizations, in your evenhandedness, ought to also remember the subject matter is painful for many, the response is not going to follow from standard organizational critiques. This is sexual assault. I’ve felt comfort in the community of fans who reject this, online and in my real life, as I attempt to digest the hire. Being able to recognize how broadly rejected this has been in this community has been important and reassuring.
I don’t want to consider Bowman’s path to redemption, whether it has meaning for him or the league or sport or not. Or whether he has met expectations set by anyone. What a selfish decision by Jackson. Nothing on Bowman’s CV justifies the circus we now all own. And especially after the press conference, I wake up more upset at JJ than anyone.
Whether JJ cares (he doesn’t) fans also have to wear it. Jackson was cold to this, which is his prerogative I guess. But it’s a massive miss and people feel rightly alienated and insulted… because as much as he and others want to think of the bottom line (which if that’s winning, this hire still doesn’t make sense) we also enter into this for community, and in so doing we are constantly looking to see our values reflected in that community. It’s never going to be a 1:1, it’s not a cult. It’s a big tent, but we want to still be able to see ourselves in it, or at least the possibility for our values to be accepted within it. Jackson felt like a stranger to this community yesterday. Winning, I’m certain of it, isn’t everything.
I spent much of yesterday with anger. As the day progressed however I have to admit the news out of Jasper took on much more meaning: that is a special place for so many of us, my family included. I’m devastated.
Having left Edmonton many years ago there are certain threads that keep me close to home: the Oilers are one of them. Memories of Jasper, which I never lived in but is my father’s resting place, is another. My heart goes out to everyone in that community.
Yesterday was simply a very bad day. We rebuild what’s been lost. We adapt and get better. It’s the only way.
I hear what your saying. As I’ve said I don’t think it was a well taken decision on many levels. But I also hesitate to be too judgmental. The reason why is that we are not privy to all of the information, it is many layered, and the main point is that Bowman wasn’t the one who did it
He had his role in it for sure, not the ultimate decision maker, and he has done all that he could be asked to do to after, including making amends with Mr Beach. For me now that the shock is dissipating, I will scrutinize his work, and am not expecting great things, which sucks
I think we can agree on that last point especially.
Gregor was pretty good in the Q & A. But Stauffer as the first softball planted question.🤮
OK I’ve had some time to process and I think I understand this a bit better. The negatives are widely understood – and from a selfish perspective I still don’t see a payoff for the organization – but there are some positives.
The issue of sexual assault and lesser deeds such as bullying in hockey has never had a higher profile in Edmonton and across the league. People are talking and debating about it because of the Bowman hire and that’s a good thing. You can pile all of the venom you want on the misdeeds in CHI (which are well documented) but reality is, they are the tip of the iceberg. The problem is widespread and probably even worse in the younger leagues where minors are taken from their homes and work for free in billeted situations with little supervision. I’ve long critiqued the Canadian junior model which I think is both abusive and a creator of abusive young men – and that position is well supported by facts which we all know about. We should not be taking minors away from home and making them work for free as intern gladiators. It’s a sick model to honest. So everyone who is so concerned about the victims in this sad story – some of which are minors – why are you not shouting to change the abusive Canadian junior leagues operate? By and large Canadians support and protect this deviant business model, and cope by burning a few guys like Bowman at the stake. Hate the pawns – but not the system – not a good look.
Bowman also seems to be the only guy to take any ownership of his role in these events and try to improve the situation. His failure to act was terrible but stepping out to do the right thing back in 2010 (or even now) was not going to be greeted with cheers and pats on the back by the NHL or his team. People would have been saying “why are you trying to make us look bad”? It’s easy to say you would do better from the peanut gallery. It takes courage to step up on these issues and you can’t expect much support at the time or in the future. I speak of this from my own experience. Speaking up is going to cost you and most people don’t have the willingness to do it. Bowman didn’t and he is one of a very very small minority who has been punished. I don’t respect his silence and lack of courage in 2010 – but I do respect his actions since then – and his willingness to take all the s**t coming his way today and into the near future. He can facilitate change and raise awareness – and if that is your measuring stick – then mission accomplished today.
I only wish JJ had explicitly said that this issue is important to the Oilers organization, and while Bowman was hired for his management skills, the organization is not shy about talking about the issue and playing a big role in raising awareness in the NHL and hockey in general. They missed an opportunity IMHO to make a statement and partially address the “why Bowman?” question.
As for Bowman’s job. JJ is the decision-maker and all significant moves will be approved by him. What he wants is an experienced guy who can deal with the day-to-day stuff effectively. Basically a high-level assistant GM who doesn’t need training wheels. Hard to find that kind of guy as experienced guys don’t want to play second fiddle and younger guys need mentoring. So I’m not going to sweat Bowman’s trade and signing record. He’s got a GM title but he’s on a very short leash and the final call is JJ’s.
Peace out.
I agree our hockey system is broken and festers this kind of behaviour.
I think saying Bowman has done the work needs context – only after this all came to light 10 years later and he was fired.
Its encouraging that you think the Oilers will be a leader in this area – a beacon of change. but the odds are extremely low that they will do this. They will weather the storm and then ‘old boys club’ business as usual
Well said, I rarely post but read daily. The community here is top drawer and I can respect a lot of opinions presented.
AO you mentioned something that is not mentioned often in the responses.
This was 2010, I am not saying anything was right and certainly Bowman should of stood up then but right or wrong the times were very different then.
It is called “presentism” I believe. We use todays standards to judge what has happened in the past. Not exactly a level playing field, although in this case probably shouldn’t be.
I am not a fan of the hiring, issue aside. I thought there were better candidates.
Sorry for the later response but the last days a have been busy.
Seems like Bowman, at least superficially, has put in the work to learn how to be better. Sheldon Kennedy clearly thinks it’s genuine and it sounds like Kyle Beach also thinks so.
I do agree that people should be allowed to make mistakes and get second chances. When it all happened it’s pretty clear the Chicago group either didn’t take it all that seriously or just didn’t want to touch it and was happy to let someone else handle it. Which is real shitty if you’re in a leadership position. Bowman said all the right things during the PC but it’s always hard to now what’s just publicly washing yourself from past sins to get a new job at the top and what’s actual remorse in these situations.
The fact Kyle Beach seems to be fine with Bowman getting back into the GM chair matters and an argument can be made that he’s made amends for his role in what happened to Beach and how it was handled there and then.
What really grinds me is that Bowman with all his clot in the hockey world didn’t give a heads up to Aldrich’s future employers to not hire the guy. Especially considering the jobs he took meant he’d be around young men and minors. A couple of phone calls could have made a world of difference. Instead Bowman kept quiet and let it happen again and again. Sexual abuse, rape ruins entire lives so the consequences of keeping quiet are devastating.
I hope Bowman is true to his words and will use this second chance, and not just any second chance but a top position in hockey, to try and make an actual positive difference off the ice. No matter his reasons behind it that would be a good thing with this hire.
As far as his GMing skills goes I’m not convinced, there were more interesting candidates imo, his work in Chicago the last few years was pretty bad.
Yes, Bowman watched Chicago win three cups off his predecessors work and everything he touched turned to shit.
It seemed this year the Oilers finally got out of their own way. Same as it ever was.
Stan Bowman’s draft record during his tenure in CHI.
2010:
2011:
2012:
2013:
2014:
2015:
2016:
2017:
2018:
2019:
2020:
2021:
All in all this looks fine to me, although really the results need to be compared to the next few players taken, especially at the same position. Obviously Bowman looks bad in 2015 (as you point out below), although later rounds are a bit of a crapshoot.
Generational draft in 2015. Following are Bowman’s results for CHI.
That’s bad enough.
Taken in context of subsequent players drafted within range of the CHI selections, it gets worse.
Round 2:
Round 3 (CHI drafted last from round three, so I’ve included the cluster that immediately followed their picks):
Round 4:
Round 5:
Round 6:
Round 7:
Such an odd move for an organization.
32 teams, only a small percentage of teams actively looking for a GM, you need to hire the best person for the job. Most qualified; or – take a chance on someone who hasn’t been on the NHL ferris wheel.
I’m a reader, not someone who dabbles deeply in analytics or evaluations. The last 12hrs of podcasts, blogs, posts, have illustrated that on a performance perspective, it doesn’t seem like this man was the most qualified.
Then, after a small window where Bowman was reinstated by the league, Oilers award him a job – not just an ancillary role, but a full on GM position. The optics are baffling.
Hockey Canada, NHL, and other leagues have had survivors step forward and expose the toxicity of the hockey system.
Just choose someone else. It’s not hard.
For those interested, there is a petition:
https://www.change.org/p/keep-stan-bowman-out-of-the-oilers-organization?source_location=search
Love the language of that petition. Puts me in the mood to burn a witch or maybe just some books. I haven’t decided yet.
It seems there are a lot of messenger shootings on this site today.
It’s not my petition, just passing it along, take it or leave it.
Regardless, this was clearly a poor hiring decision due to both the reputational damage and the very possible potential for a Chiapete repeat. Clearly his 7-8 years of GM success was on the shoulders of his predecessor.
I looked at his trade history and he made 116 during his 12 1/2 year tenure. Mostly misses and lost bets under his watch, And his Draft results are very unwhelming. Sure, the team could win a Cup or two over the next few years, but this guy does not have my confidence.
Jackson had a 50-0 lead at halftime and now his team is trailing by 3 touchdowns after 3 quarters….
Below is what I wrote yesterday so I will add little here.
One thing I find odd is how many people refer to it as the 2010 event. It wasn’t just a meeting in May 2010.
— It was throughout the later part of 2010 even as Aldrich was celebrating victory events WITH THE TEAM – many of which would have included Bowman folks
— It may have been 2013 when Aldrich was sentenced for a separate assault in Houghton, Michigan
— It was 2017 when the MeToo movement started
— It was April 2020 when McDonough was let go
— It was every time the subject came up in ANY setting outside the team
— It was every time Beach’s or Aldrich’s name came up in ANY setting
— It was every time the subject came up in any setting that was part of the team or team activities
This wasn’t just one thing that happened one-time way back in 2010 sometime. This was an 11 year saga of not saying a word, and cashing in on escalating contracts because he was a Stanley Cup winning GM.
To say it happened as a one-time thing is to cheapen immeasurably what Bowman did.
Where my heart shrivels and my soul dies is in regards to the motivation.
You see, up until he was suspended Bowman’s every motivation was not to acknowledge and certainly not to care.
Once he was suspended his every motivation was to get back to being an NHL GM.
Which is what he did.
He didn’t devote himself to learning et al because he gave a damn about it, he devoted himself to becoming an NHL GM again and to become an NHL GM he needed to give a damn about it.
And because he was paid so well for ignoring what happened, and not caring about what happened, he was able to easily afford the 2.5 years or so it would take to prove he did care. Now.
Stan Bowman is now the face of caring about sexual abuse in the NHL. The hiring is as repugnant as the person.
“In regards to Bowman, Quenneville, et al. They weren’t junior interns. They were leaders of their team, who deliberately let someone suffer the depths of hell hang so as to:
a. make sure they had a chance to win the Cup;
b. celebrate the joy of doing so unencumbered once they had won it; and
c. continue to profit from the win, both in terms of monetary gains and ‘joy’ gains, for as long as possible.
It was a decade before the s&*t started to really hit the fan. That isn’t a “we didn’t know” thing. That is a choice thing. Deliberative and cynical choices made, and made again.
I am 55 years old. I still suffer from the effects of sexual assaults I suffered as a child. It affects me as a person, a husband, a father, an employee.
I will die early in life, in part, because of it.
Does Bowman deserve a second chance. Maybe, sure. Still don’t want him anywhere near the team I love.
Full disclosure, one of the reasons I survived those earlier years is because I attached some of my happiness to those early Oiler teams (and the Eskimos as well – Brian Kelly all the way!)
At the very least I do think that there should be a recognition of the pollution re: his gains. To whit, on the Cup, strike his name. Don’t remove. Strike. Big ugly ‘X’ over each letter of his name of the Cup. Same with Quenneville.
Get that done and THEN they can start again. Clean as snow.
There was a full decade and then some people. They weren’t junior interns. They HEAVILY profited from ignoring the evil therein and then spent 2+ years spending those gains to make themselves presentable again. Small price to pay if you want to be cynical about it.“
It all rolls up to the owner. If he decides to suppress it, everyone else falls in line. They offered Aldrich a settlement to go away because Wirtz knew a police investigation would likely expose him to a civil suit from Beach which he ended up unable to avoid anyway. The four managers fell on their sword to insulate the owner. Bowman gets another gig because owners reward this kind of loyalty.
Follow the money. The league fined the team for a reason. Bettman and the other owners couldn’t publicly embarass Wirtz but they could hit his wallet.
Rich people have been using their money and influence to bury sexual abuse allegations forever.
Yep.
Going against your boss, whose family’s net worth is approaching 5 billion USD and is kinda known for being tough? That would be unwise from career and life prospective.
Sometimes you just have to do what you’re told when dealing with rich and powerful people.
Same as it ever was.
“This was an 11 year saga of not saying a word, and cashing in on escalating contracts because he was a Stanley Cup winning GM.”
110% agree. it’s not just silence. It’s negligence. And he rose that to the highest position on the team and still didn’t investigate.
If you downvoted this, there’s something wrong with you. This should be it’s own blog entry on this site. Thanks YKOil.
I downvoted. As a Victim myself I find it sort of ignorant. And fabricated copium. Gave my reasoning in a reply above….
I am unclear who said/wrote the large quoted section in italics?
Does your heart shrivel. Do you feel actual pain about this situation? Asinine. I feel for Beach. That’s it. Nothing else. I seriously need to ask this, and a lot others in this community which I love btw. Long time reader since my first smart phone in grade 8. 17 years I have lurked and read without a post because of the knowledge and respect of this community. As a Victim of sexual abuse and worse. From a member of my family. I also have 4 male cousins 2 of which were his sons. who suffered the same fate. Our uncle. My parents knew about my uncle and what he had done too his sons, did that stop them from having my cousins and I around him ? Alone no less? No, but do I blame my parents for what transpired? Not one second. My family, my cousins, his two sons and I also didn’t and still don’t want him punished in any manner. Instead we sought to help better ourselves talk about and realize what happened. Progress and teach and do the same with our uncle. Help him get better. Why because he’s family. And blood is most important. Hiring bowman is just that. This needs to come to light. And be spoken about. Have controversy. Who better then the only person to be involved In a situation to stand up for it, accept his role. Betman and the nhl or any other organization have not. The oilers have a chance to be the first and set a standard league wide. Which is what Stan has been doing. Using his own money to do so, Ignoring Bowman for his role is more of the same and major root of societal issues. Bring it all too light. And actually let the one person in hockey trying too make this change make the damn change. Otherwise it won’t happen. I also don’t put blame on Bowman, just like I don’t blame my parents. This line of thinking is horrendous. Aldrich committed the crime. It ends there. Now if he was an actual witness then yes. hearing an accusation is a lot different then being a witness. Nvm the fact Bowman had the least amount of say or power. The people above need more blame. Especially the one advocating it too be left to him and him only. Bowman could have went behind the Blackhawk’s owners back and went to court with this. Or the league head Betman. Which would cause Bowman, and his family a-lot
of hardship. Lose lose for Bowman. Last thing. Bowman didn’t win once he won three with consistency. Chiapet is no comparable. Jackson will be free agent and trade king as we have seen. Bowman is handling the business side of the gm job. And more importantly bringing league issues as a whole to light. Bullying, sexual abuse, physical abuse. And hopefully substance abuse is included too. Sorry for the rant but I’m starting to get personally offended. when someone on the outside is getting treated like the sexual deviant himself. IMHO the first clear impactful mistake was Beach not expressing the seriousness and full details to Bowman off the rip. And I know from experience easier said than done. But with the help and support of my family I’m comfortable enough to talk about my trauma in an online community. Read all of the info on the lawyers findings and legal documents involving all parties including Bowman, before making irrational statements based on anger.
While I understand this a big day in Oiler history, I think it’s worth noting that the forest fire has reached Jasper and structures in town are on fire.
So many memories…
Photo here:
https://x.com/lilkd4wg/status/1816280887576912104
It’s shocking . I lived more than half my life in Jasper. A wonderful community my heart goes out to family & friends of Jasper.
?
Bowman is a shit GM and I’d bet a friendship somewhere got him this ‘second chance’. Hockey is only a meritocracy on the ice.
Apparently the Oilers were interested in Bowman before Jackson was hired, which does suggest friends in high places:
Seravall said, “Bowman will become a top candidate for Oilers GM vacancy. Believe he was on Edmonton’s radar when Jeff Jackson was hired last summer though still ineligible then.”
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/former-blackhawks-exec-stan-bowmans-suspension-lifted-in-running-for-edmonton-oilers-job-insiders-say
.
.
Bowman has been hired, we now have to deal with it. Hopefully he will be a good GM. The end.
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-name-stan-bowman-as-gm-and-vp-of-hockey-operations
I’d be curious as to how many Oiler fans realize that Aldrich was never charged by Chicago police in relation to the Beach incident? He isn’t actually proven guilty and charged until the subsequent incident in Houghton 3 years later.
In short, the man was definitely a predator but the Blackhawks had no conclusive proof of that based on the Beach incident. What they had was conflicting reports from three eyewitness (the classic he said/she said conundrum which Is extremely fraught for HR to adjudicate). The Jenner & Block report confirms the eyewitness testimony as contradictory and inconclusive. The org’s response is delayed with all 5 management party to that initial meeting refusing to admit who made that decision. This is Bowman’s key sin for which he and the 3 others hit the chopping block. Chevaldayoff is now in WPG. When the incident is finally escalated to HR, the HR Dir tells Aldrich he can either resign or face a full investigation. This is ownership’s sin. The Wirtz family would’ve been apprised of the situation prior to this offer and had to make the call on whether they wished to expose the team to a police investigation of their employee. This is why the league fined the team imo.
Reading the details of this incident in detail, it’s clear to me that the reaction to this hiring is hugely hyperbolic. At no time was Bowman a single actor in this process and when push came to shove when the Director of HR learned of this and appraised ownership, it was Wirtz’s decision to not pursue a team investigation or advise the police.
It bears emphasizing that any company risks massive liability when a crime amongst their employees occurs for which there is insufficient conclusive proof to act properly in the moment.
If anyone’s interested, I recommend watching the movie Paterno with Al Pacino. Depicts the Penn State abuse scandal and does a good job illustrating how incredibly complex such investigations actually are. Our hearts must always go out to the victims but it’s also humane to recognize that the fallout often impacts collateral participants to an extent incommensurate with their actions in the rush to placate ‘optics.’ Horrible situations for all involved.
Very well put
For me the pressers answered the doubt. What happens is what matters. There are many false claims about this, that the report done did not confirm. And it was not a whitewash
Sexual abuse is horrible. But demonizing people just because is also horrible. I am not comparing the two, but let’s relax. If Bowman had been different about it I may feel differently. But he addressed it head on, took responsibility
Still not my first choice based on his GM work
I’ll probably regret commenting on the hire but here goes.
First of all I have nothing to add as to whether or not Bowman is qualified for the job, the best guy for the job or anything else to do with his hockey acumen. I really only just follow the Oilers anymore so I know nothing.
There are many posters here whose league wide knowledge I respect and that is pretty much the extent of what I know about him as a NHL manager.
As I was reading the comments this morning, however, I was struck by how much attitudes have changed regarding sexual abuse. Not that it was ever right but how it was thought of prior to the Me Too movement that raged across North America and took down some of the most powerful men in entertainment, politics, business and sports. Behaviour that had previously been ignored or tolerated or bought off or swept under the rug became huge headlines and heads rolled.
The year when it really got started? 2017.
The year of the event in Chicago? 2010
Now before anybody/everybody starts to yell at me that they should have known better anyway that is not the point I am trying to make. Of course everybody involved should have and could have handled it better.
The point I am trying to make is that in 2010 the response by the Chicago Blackhawk management group – including the person in HR who let Aldrich slither away – would have been seen as a perfectly acceptable course of action by a majority of those familiar with the event. Don’t wash the dirty laundry in public and all that. The reason it is seen differently today traces to the fallout of the Me Too movement that began in 2017 and provided headlines for years after – including 2021 when Beach sued the Blackhawks.
And again, this isn’t about ‘they should have known better’. Of course they should have known better.
It is about how we as a society have changed – and how it reminds me of another major societal change involving drunk driving and how it was viewed so many decades ago when I was young.
I put myself through university in the early, early 70’s driving taxi. I did it for 3 years. I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of Saturday nights I drove when I was not in some kind of close to hospital or death situation because of drunks on the road from about 11:30 to 2:30 a.m.
It was just the way it was. And I am going to go so far as to suggest that there is nobody my age or around my age who didn’t drive when they really shouldn’t have. For those younger that includes your father, your uncle, your grandfather – no matter what they try and tell you. I was there. If they drank they drove at least occasionally when they really should have given the keys to somebody else. It was the way it was.
These days that kind of behaviour is not tolerated and we are better for it. But it took a sea change in societal attitude by MADD to get us here and all I am trying to say is that for sexual abuse that sea change began after the incident in Chicago but for many here today the view is the one that came after 2017. And we are better for that change as well but the lens definitely casts the events in a different light imo.
I just thought maybe this would help in some way for those for whom today’s events have soured them on the team. I guess time will tell if this was a gross miscalculation or an example of the steel to make impossibly difficult decisions for the good of the organization as many here have argued for.
I honestly don’t know but I thought I would take a stab at explaining how I saw the reaction to today’s announcement to see if maybe it helps a little bit.
Excellent post.
This is very interesting and I thank you. I’m going to read it again but is struck a chord for me.
“The point I am trying to make is that in 2010 the response by the Chicago Blackhawk management group – including the person in HR who let Aldrich slither away – would have been seen as a perfectly acceptable course of action by a majority of those familiar with the event. Don’t wash the dirty laundry in public and all that. The reason it is seen differently today traces to the fallout of the Me Too movement that began in 2017 and provided headlines for years after – including 2021 when Beach sued the Blackhawks.”
It was not acceptable in 2010 in the United States for supervisors (teachers, professors, coaches) to have sexual relations with subordinates (students, players, reports). I went through annual training sessions on this while working in a supervisory role in an American institution at the time. It didn’t/doesn’t matter if the contact initiated by Aldrich was verbally consented to by Beach.Coaches are not supposed to have relations with players. This was evident and known institutionally in 2010.
Clinton-Lewinsky was in 1995. This kind of thing was already in the public consciousness.
Yes, but you can’t just fire a guy with cause when the more serious allegation of a crime being committed exists. That’s essentially releasing the suspect into the wild. It’s prudent to get your ducks in a row if a criminal investigation is warranted.
“yes, but you can’t just fire a guy..”
Sexual relations – even consensual – between a supervisor and subordinate are grounds for immediate dismissal. An alternative is to suspend the supervisor pending an investigation. It depends what is discovered and disclosed. If they find evidence of a criminal action it needs to be reported to police. But yes, you can fire someone immediately depending on the circumstances.
Lets not forget the facts that (1) at the time, those in power were not provided with full details of the assault, or even that rape had occurred and (2) the decision was made that John McDounagh, the President and CEO, would deal with it.
There was no active cover up of sexual assault here by Bowman who was told that the more senior executives were dealing with it.
Of course, the lack of follow up to ensure, etc., etc. provides culpability but he left it in the hands of the senior bosses.
Bowman claimed McDonagh stated he would take care of it. Nobody else at the meeting verified that claim although testimony to the enquiry suggested that would be consistent with McDonagh’s MO.
It’s pretty evident that the participants at that meeting were colluding in a code of silence on the specifics of it. I suspect the fact that no individual stepped forward to admit responsibility for the delay to escalate to HR was a factor in them all getting turfed.
Yeah, but what about Kevin Cheveldayoff?
How did he escape unscathed?
“Of course, the lack of follow up to ensure, etc., etc. provides culpability but he left it in the hands of the senior bosses.”
According to the Jenner and Block investigation it was revealed to senior leadership (including McDonough, Bowman and Quenneville) on May 23rd 2010 that there was a sexual advance towards Beach from Aldrich. This was revealed by the team counsellor who “believed Beach”. They were told that McDonough would deal with it.
Bowman continued to work for the Blackhawks for more than a decade afterwards in more senior roles and rose to replace McDonough.
At no point did Bowman investigate. Even after Aldrich resigned on threat of investigation.
Beach suffered in the organization for 3 more years after Aldrich resigned.
Call that whatever you want.
Bowman knew something happened, did nothing for more than a decade, and continued to do nothing after rising to one of the highest positions in the organization.
That’s more than silence. That’s negligence. And obviously the NHL and the lawyers who settled with Beach agree that it’s negligent.
It goes to show that the world is constantly changing. We need to be able to learn and adapt. Evidently, Stan Bowman has put in the work and has earned this second chance. He educated himself and is now in a position to make a difference. It’s part of who he is and he’s a better man for it. He’s seen success, he’s seen failure, he’s responded in good faith under trying circumstances. Someone brought up his hall of fame father, Scotty, who is revered as an NHL great, coach/ manager. Let’s see where this is going. It has the makings of a great story with a great Edmonton Oilers organization.
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So you are saying that there are no politics inside NHL top administrative circles? Hard to believe!
Brad Holland & Keith Gretzky are still part of things within the organization. It’s an interesting management group.
We know what “green-washing” looks like.
This is “abuse-washing”. The grifter expert get his “indulgence” and all the sins are forgiven.
Yeah. The press conference definitely had spin doctor/tokenization energy.
What is your analysis of those sins – based on the information provided?
Too much
https://edmontonjournal.com/sports/hockey/nhl/cult-of-hockey/edmonton-oilers-name-stan-bowman-as-gm-and-vp-of-hockey-operations
One common allegation is that the Blackhawks gave Aldrich a reference letter or recommendation for future jobs. Jenner & Block dug into this and found no evidence of this: “After leaving his employment with the Blackhawks, Aldrich went on to work and volunteer at USA Hockey, the University of Notre Dame, Miami University of Ohio, and Houghton High School. None of the witnesses we interviewed recalled anyone at the Blackhawks providing a written or verbal reference for Aldrich to his future employers. When interviewed, Aldrich stated that he did not list any Blackhawks employees as references on job applications, nor did he ask anyone from the Blackhawks to vouch for him or make any calls on his behalf.”
It’s obvious who the true villan was in this situation
Thanks for mentioning this. It is one of the things I have been mentioning that I wasn’t explicitly saying
Also disturbed by this hire. It was not necessary to upset and polarize the fan base in this way.
And wonder how much of this is due to a remote Executive – Jackson, who because he never has lived in Edmonton does not have the pulse of this community and could not foresee the response it would receive.
This site is being kind, over at reddit comments are much stronger.
Now if Oilers were to reverse the decision it hurts Bowman even more. Remote management never works.
I like to think that the quality of comments here is much higher than Reddit. As is the ability to have thoughtful and civil discourse. Reddit has its place, but much of it has become an echo chamber.
Interesting point about JJ as a remote executive, and one that might continue to be salient. (Although, if anything, I would think the Toronto market would be even more critical of hiring someone like Bowman.)
This feels like the Edmonton Oilers just rehired Peter Chiarelli again.
I’m not mad they hired Bowman for what he did. People do things and pay there debt. I believe what people as Kennedy say as he has. I’ll take it at face value. That said I wouldn’t have hired him because it just feels like a Chiarelli hire. I think there were more qualified younger progressive people available.
So for now I will wait and see what he does starting with Draisaitl. If he makes some shrewd moves and we win the Stanley then I’m sure most will be fine with this hire.
For all of you who couldn’t wait to replace Mr. Holland, well here we are. The man that brought us to within one win of a Stanley Cup and brought great class to the organization. Slipped through our fingers for magic beans…same as it ever was!
Do you believe they should have extended Holland?
I have stated previously that we should have
Wanting an upgrade on Holland and not wanting SB to replace him aren’t mutually exclusive.
Both things can be true in concert. This isn’t an either-or situation.
My point is that people who bet on us finding a more competent GM have placed their bets on the losing side. We were much better off keeping the bird we knew than gambling on the man we hired.
From Sportsnet:
I’m no insider on this issue. Sheldon Kennedy is. Shouldn’t he have a better view here than any of us?
It seems to me that it was right for Bowman to have a penalty (which he has). It also seems right for Bowman to have a chance at redemption at some point. When should that point come? That’s an open question, but if Sheldon Kennedy thinks that now is an appropriate time, then I’m inclined to trust his word.
Good points
Bowman played a part in that, but was not the instigator. He was not the perpetrator. He owned up to his part. Really the owners are at the head of it and their guy in charge. If settling it properly was so important to the league they should have been forced to sell. Instead fall people
Just tuning in now, as we heeded Johnny Horton and headed north to Alaska. Greetings from Ketchikan!
I am withholding judgement for the nonce, which seems like a radical move in a society that prioritizes hot takes.
But I wonder how Bowman will be received by his fellow GM’s. Will he be welcomed back like a prodigal son, or become a pariah amongst his peers (a peeriah, if you will)?
As our host says, we wait.
I’m sure every GM in the league is envious of Stan Bowman. Nothing but respect & admiration
Agreed. Absolute cherry job.
Even Ken Holland didn’t mess it up too badly. LOL .
I wonder how being out of the loop for a few years puts him behind. For example Darche is up to date on players on other teams etc
So is Jeff Jackson and the rest of the management group. Stan isn’t all on his lonesome. It won’t take much to get him up to date.
What a depressing day!
Jasper is burning.
Well, it was nice feeling like the Oilers were finally a professional, well-run organization for a few weeks.
I want to reserve judgement, and honestly if he finds a way to sign Draisiatl and Bouchard long term at friendly cap numbers, that would be a good arrow in his favor as GM. That being said, the Oilers are/will be taking a lot of shit for this decision (rightly).
I hope the organization didn’t puch too much stock into “he’s a winner” and not just because that sounds like Kevin Lowe. I just hope they didn’t bring him in for his experience trading away star players for cents on the dollar.
Does this mean Seth Jones to EDM at some point?
You are free to comment but abusive comments will be deleted.
Hey LT, I noticed a few of my comments were edited. Apologies if I crossed a line.
No worries. Many were deleted because they responded to something out there. It’s all good.
Thanks for saying
Whew……good thing we got Bowman just in time to handle the Draisaitl contract.
Not even funny.
In conjunction with Jeff Jackson who will be integrally involved.
After a lifeless sweep in the first round Bowman thought his team needed a shake up and traded one of his best players (Panarin)
You don’t trade one of your top players to shake things up. You trade a 3rd liner.
That he thought it wise to trade Panarin is a major red flag for me. You just don’t trade your top talent.
They knew they weren’t going to be able to pay him, so they got some value for him.
Maybe Bowman overpaid Kane and Toews and created the problem in the first place. But the apparent loss in player value in the Panarin trade isn’t the whole story.
Should have wagered money the Oilers would be the first organization to hire someone involved in the Kyle Beach tragedy.
Not only is it ethically questionable, a major distraction for the players for at least the next few months, I’m not even convinced he’s a very good GM.
Hugely disappointed with this hire.
Kane, Perry, Virtanen, now Bowman.
I’ll hold my criticism until Stan actually begins GM’ing. I’m comfortable with the hire. I’ve read as much as I care to on his path to redemption, reputable members of the hockey community as well as other sexual assault victims testifying to his character and willingness to grow from his mistakes.
That said, will be a polarizing hire. I’m good with it for the time being. I don’t know enough about any of the GM candidates to pass judgement with any degree of authority.
If any fanbase can survive polarizing hires, it’s probably us. I understand folks that say they will never watch another game. To them I would simply suggest that they dive a little deeper into the circumstances of this specific situation. Find out exactly what Bowman did or didn’t do. Find out if he recognizes his shortcomings. Decide if you suspect he would do anything but the right thing if ever put into the same crappy situation again.
Graf, you have made me start to think that Jackson plans on still doing the GMing, but hired Bowman as a scapegoat in case Jackson’s transactions don’t work out.
https://committedindians.com/stan-bowman-history-as-chicago-blackhawks-gm/
This guy traded Mattias Esa Jantikanen. Booooo
The only way this makes sense is if the Oilers are about to become leaders in discussing sexual abuse in sport with substantial education and outreach. That kind of significant commitment to openness and change is the only way I can understand this move. Anything less is just incomprehensible and unacceptable, and that message better be loud, clear and unequivocal at the press conference. This is the one and only chance they get from me to show why they did this.
This hire is very much an indication to me that the final decisions rest with Jackson now.
The Oilers were looking for an experienced GM that could handle the hands on duties. But the role required someone not aspiring to the full reins of power.
Jackson has a guy he can trust to do the day to day, but the egregious mistakes Bowman made in Chicago are likely seen as mitigatable with Jackson as the true overseer.
The Oilers weren’t looking for a King. They were looking for someone willing to serve the King. A former GM now pariah would likely settle for that more limited mandate.
I hope you’re right. The bad optics aside, I genuinely worry that this will be another Chia situation. An old boys hire who won by standing on others’ work and then made bad move after bad move. Jackson’s moves so far gave me confidence. This hire shattered all that confidence.
Obviously, this is an early, gut feeling, reaction, and I certainly hope I’m wrong. But this feels like a disaster waiting to happen. And another chance to waste Connor and Leon.
But if, as you say, Bowman is just the yes man, it might not be as bad. Who knows what the real dynamics will be behind the scenes. Guess we just have to wait and see.
Beyond shocked at this hire… I just cannot support a team that would put a person in a position of authority after the history Bowman has had!
I grew up a Leafs fan being from Toronto, moved out West in the early 90s and have been following the Oilers since then. When moving south (from the NWT) 5 years ago, picked St. Albert over Cochrane/Okotoks (my wife and I work remote so could go anywhere) simply because of the Oilers (and hate the Flames). I can count on 1 hand how many games I miss each season with fingers left over.
I have watched my LAST Oilers game!!!
I love hockey so will need to find another team to support… maybe Utah, kinda like the direction they are going. When they come on a road trip through Alberta, I will drive to Calgary to see them play… the Oilers organization will not see another penny from me!
LT might have to shut this one down… Insanely polarizing hire. Are the Oilers org really this tone deaf?
If my kid was just drafted by the Oilers, or part of the youth system, I would be instantly on the phone to their agent.
I haven’t been this disappointed in the organization since Chia traded Hall. What a disgusting move.
How can I email, text, or call the Edmonton Oilers organization?
I’m not kidding, this will end fandoms. Maybe mine.
A lot of self righteous comments on this site today. He who has no sin cast the first stone.
Yeah? More than anything else, I’m seeing a lot of people who are flummoxed by the Oilers decision.
You say this as if Bowman was guilty of jay walking.
He’s guilty of taking the same course of action 75% of the people virtue signalling would surely make in difficult or personally dangerous scenario:
Being a coward when it counts.
That said, sheldon kennedy’s comments regarding how engaged and commited bowman has since been rectifying his actions, as best he can, speaks volumes IMO.
That shows a hell of a lot more character than the vast majority of people who got caught cowardly reacting when faced with a difficult scenario.
Source on that “75% of people virtue signalling”?
And Bowman has committed to rectifying his actions? Great. Has he committed to also being a better GM as well?
Because you know, GMing is a big part of the job and Bowman’s record doesn’t inspire a lot of confidence considering how many other GMs are available.
He did win three cups in his first 6 years in Chicago.
If we win three cups I’ll live with some bad trades
‘Robbie, here’s your headline “Oilers hire Bowman, confuse thousands.” Now get me more pictures of Spiderman!’ – J. Jonah Jameson
So for whoever are the readers here who are downvoting so many comments:
Can you at least touch upon why this is a good hire?
There isn’t one other than “tee-hee another triggered beta”.
Staying classy, as always.
Guessing it’s because they know someone is going to acknowledge it. Much like trolling, some posters can’t help but give it life.
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I am sorry, I cant agree with you on the hire. Yes they have done it in the past for sure. I still do not like this one bit.
There was a chance to go in a new direction and they chose not to. Super disappointing.
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Players deserve second chances (cos young and dumb) but not management (cos old and should know better). Got it.
I (and I don’t think anyone else) have not suggested Bowman does not deserve a second chance. But what does/ should a second chance look like is another question.
And yes, individuals in positions of trust and power should be held to a higher standard of accountability.
Second chance, def yes, sure. GM for the oilers, hell NO. Track record poor for one, two: Well thats obvi, three: Taking on a whole lot of negative after some real positives with the playoffs, FA and trades. Why do that… keep the positive rolling, this is not it.
This lessens all that was done because the focus becomes exactly this.
Nor is it “knee-jerk”, we’ve been debating and lamenting this possible move for weeks. I’ve had time to think about what the hire would mean. I remain angry and upset about it.
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He also sucked as a GM, so there’s that.
Not really a “knee jerk mob reaction” when everyone has heard of the hire being rumored for awhile now and has been thinking of it for weeks now, is it?
Seems like the Oilers org is just willing to accept the negative backlash that they knew would happen by doing this.
It’s not like the idea was just sprung upon everyone this morning.
Not every negative reaction is a “mob” or “knee jerk” reaction.
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I just saw the news as I was swimming in work.
My initial reaction is sadness and HUGE disappointment. I don’t really know what else to say. This is just a terrible decision.
I have never been more irritated with the OILERS. What an OBTUSE decision for an org on the up.
Very unpopular move. For me Stan Bowman was a NO because of his awful trade record:
1) Traded a young Bfuglien & Ladd for pennies on the dollar
2) Signed Bickell to an inexplicable contract, then had to attach Tereveinen in a trade to get rid of the player
3) Panarin for Saad
4) Traded for Seth Jones and signed him to one of the league’s worst contracts.
Stan Bowman made a muck of the Blackhawks team that Dale Tallon built.
Agreed, 100%. That’s the kicker to an already undesirable hire. Oilers gotta oil.
Completely agree. There are 2 matters here. First is the obvious. Second is Bowman’s record as GM. His teams haven’t been good since the 16/17 season. And he did a poor job at trying to keep the Hawks competitive. Hard no based on his recent job as a GM.
I am so deeply offended and saddened by the hiring of Stan Bowman.
I have been an Oiler fan my entire life, 43 years. I bleed blue and orange and never thought there would come a day when I would consider ending my fandom. That day has come.
I am stunned.
How do I explain this to the women and children in my life?
How do they explain it to the women employees in the organization?
They can still save this sort of – fire him now. CBJ did so with Babcock. Its not impossible.
Again, just completely stunned. What am I going to do with the 1000s of dollars I spend on you each year? I can’t imagine I’m the only one wondering the same this morning.
Completely, utterly stunned at the stupidity.
The “how do they explain it to the women employees” is very odd. It demonstrates a profound lack of understanding about abuse. For example, Bowman was fired for covering up a sexual assault of an adult man.
Fine sorry Im just upset. Women face a staggering degree more abuse than men and perhaps I projected a bit, thinking of victims in general.
But it makes not a hint of difference to me.
I can only think of 3 things.
1. Mark Hunter wanted too much to leave his cash cow.
2. Stan Bowman took so little the bottom line was screaming for him over any comparable hire.
3. Jackson wants to be extremely involved and Bowman handles day to day ie. another voice but far from THE voice. The GM & EVP title makes me think this doesn’t make sense.
Sad day for the org.
Next headline: “Oilers GM Bowman inks Jonathan Toews to a $4mx4 contract but with no timeline around his return to the rink.
One step forward, two steps back. Over and above the mistakes he made that got him suspended from the league, he wasn’t even a particularly good GM! Why do the Oilers, time and time again, continue to prove that they are okay with the Old Boys Club and the culture that comes with it?!
I suspect this goes back to the time Jackson was the player agent for Alex Debrincat, Jackson must have built a pretty good relationship with Bowman at that time.