Quenneville and Bowman reinstated in NHL two years after Kyle Beach scandal – NBC Chicago

Former Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, head coach Joel Quenneville and assistant general manager Al MacIssac have been reinstated by the NHL more than two years after resigning from their positions amid an investigation into their handling of sexual assault allegations made by former forward Kyle Beach.

According to an NHL press release, all three men are now eligible to speak with teams about employment and can accept a position beginning July 10.

“While it is clear that their reactions at the time were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has recognized this and has used their time away from the game to pursue activities that not only express sincere remorse for what occurred, but also demonstrate a greater awareness of the responsibility of all NHL employees, particularly those in leadership positions,” the league said in a statement.

Bowman and MacIsaac resigned from their positions with the Blackhawks in October 2021 after the release of a team-commissioned investigation that found the team mishandled allegations made by Beach, who said he was sexually abused by former video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.

Quenneville resigned from his position as head coach of the Florida Panthers a few days after the Jenner & Block report was published. The NHL also fined the Blackhawks $2 million “for the organization’s inadequate internal procedures and inadequate and delayed response,” according to a statement.

All three men were deemed unsuitable for employment in the league and recently asked NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman for their reinstatement.

The investigation was launched after several lawsuits were filed against the organization, one of which was filed by Beach alleging that he was sexually harassed by Aldrich during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2010. The other was filed by a former student who Aldrich was convicted of harassing in Michigan after he was fired by the Blackhawks.

Beach’s lawsuit was settled in December 2021. The second lawsuit was dismissed, according to attorneys.

The investigation revealed that Bowman, MacIssac, former team president John McDonough, former executive VP Jay Blunk and Kevin Cheveldayoff met with Quenneville on May 23, 2010, to discuss the allegations.

The investigation found that “no action was taken” following the revelations, and states that Quenneville “said it was difficult for the team to get to where they are now” and that they would not be able to handle the problem during a playoff run.

Aldrich continued to travel with the team for the remainder of the playoff run and celebrated with the Stanley Cup after they won it in June 2010. He was then given the choice of resigning or participating in an investigation into the allegations, and he chose to resign.