Oilers GM Stan Bowman makes appearance to support Kyle Beach in new endeavour
Oilers General Manager Stan Bowman made an appearance tonight at the University of Alberta Golden Bears game, as they hosted the Trinity Western Spartans coached by Kyle Beach.
Kyle Beach was the complainant in a lawsuit against the Chicago Blackhawks for misconduct after being assaulted by assistant coach Brad Aldrich.
Stan Bowman makes appearance to support and continue relationship with Kyle Beach
According to OilersNation analyst Tyler Yaremchuk, Bowman attended tonight's Golden Bears game to show support for Beach, whom the general manager has worked to cultivate a relationship with since his dismissal from Chicago.
Kyle Beach officially retired from professional hockey in 2022 after last playing with the TecArt BlackDragons in the third division of the German league. Beach never played in the NHL, but spent parts of 6 seasons with Chicago's AHL team.
When Stan Bowman was hired by Edmonton and reinstated by the NHL after being banned, the Oilers new GM spoke about the work he's taken to improve himself.
Part of that work involved working with other assault survivors, and reaching out to Beach after several attempts, the pair met and developed a relationship.
When I left the Blackhawks, I reached out to Kyle, and I didn't hear anything back from him. A few months later, I started working with Sheldon, and in our time together, at one point Sheldon said, 'Have you ever talked to Kyle Beach?' I said I'd tried to reach him but I didn't hear back. He said, 'I understand that I reached out to Kyle [again], and the second time I did, he responded and said, 'Yeah, I'd be willing to talk.'
- Stan Bowman
Bowman later revealed that he has been working with Beach in coaching the Spartans, and has remained in close contact with him since then on their new project of coaching.
We spent a day-and-a-half together. We certainly reflected on the past, but I think it was more so looking ahead to how we could mend fences, and how I could bring something of value to his team. I've kept in touch with him since that point.
It's good to see Bowman following up with his words and maintaining the relationship with Beach.
Earning the forgiveness of Beach is a significant step for Bowman to prove to the public that he's learned from his mistake in Chicago, and is committed to actively being better.
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