Oilers hire Bowman as GM less than 3 years after he resigned amid Blackhawks sexual assault scandal
EDMONTON, Alberta — The Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations on Wednesday, making him the first former Chicago Blackhawks executive rehired by an NHL team since the team’s 2010 sexual assault scandal came to light in recent years.
The league reestablished Bowman, coach Joel Quenneville and Al MacIsaac, who also worked in Chicago’s front office, earlier this month. Bowman resigned as Chicago’s general manager in 2021 after an independent investigation found the organization mishandled allegations made by player Kyle Beach that he was sexually assaulted by video coach Brad Aldridge.
Bowman, 51, coached the Blackhawks when they won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015. He takes over the Oilers after their run to the final, where they lost to Florida in seven games.
“I believe his extensive experience and proven success in this role, combined with the significant work he has accomplished in his spare time, aligns with our goal of being best-in-class in every aspect of our organization,” said Jeff Jackson, CEO of Hockey Operations. “Through our many conversations, we share a common vision of where we are as a team and what it takes to win another Stanley Cup title.”
Jackson, hired last year after spending more than a decade as Connor McDavid’s agent, was asked July 1 about Bowman’s candidacy for the job after the team did not renew general manager Ken Holland’s contract.
“I mean, Stan’s obviously a long-time, successful GM, and the NHL brought all three guys back today,” Jackson said at the time. “I’m a little upset about the schedule with the playoffs, then the draft, then free agency, so I haven’t thought about it, to be honest. I’ve got to relax for a few days, and then I’ve got to move forward with my GM search. To be honest, I can’t comment at this point.”
Earlier in the day, the league said in a statement that Bowman, Quenneville and MacIsaac “have each acknowledged this and have used their time away from the game to engage in activities that demonstrate not only sincere remorse for what happened, but also a heightened awareness of the responsibilities of all NHL personnel, particularly those in leadership positions.”
Former player Sheldon Kennedy, who went public about being a victim of sexual abuse as a coach and has since co-founded the Respect Group to train people to help prevent bullying, harassment and abuse, wrote a long letter supporting Bowman and explaining the work he has done in recent years.
“I believe Stan would be a valuable asset to an organization because of his recognition of past mistakes and his relentless efforts to make the locker room and the game safer for everyone,” Kennedy wrote. “He has the knowledge, insight and confidence to lead in this area. I believe building a strong, healthy culture within an organization and continuing to practice it will be a top priority for Stan. I also believe Stan will carry that message throughout the hockey ecosystem, which can only help.”
Kennedy added that he believed Bowman would do everything in his power to make sure what happened to Beach doesn’t happen to anyone else.
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