Blackhawks sexual assault scandal: Investigation into NHLPA’s involvement raises more questions than it answers

An investigation into the NHL Players’ Association’s managing of Kyle Beach’s 2010 sexual-assault allegations in opposition to previous Blackhawks video clip mentor Brad Aldrich has cleared the union and its director, Donald Fehr.

The investigation, done by the law company Cozen O’Connor and released publicly Friday, could not ‘‘identify any person wrongdoing or institutional failures of coverage or procedure by both Fehr [or] NHLPA staff.’’

But the information in the investigation report elevate considerably far more inquiries than they remedy.

Beach front and ‘‘Black Ace 1,’’ the nonetheless-anonymous Hawks prospect whom Aldrich allegedly sexually harassed in 2010, refused to take part in the Cozen O’Connor investigation. Why?

Beach’s previous agent, Ross Gurney, explained to investigators he called Fehr in December 2010 after Aldrich was employed by United states Hockey, hoping Fehr would notify Usa Hockey about Aldrich’s immorality. Gurney recalled describing Aldrich as a ‘‘sexual predator’’ or ‘‘pedophile’’ to Fehr, yet Fehr swears he does not don’t forget hearing that.

How does Fehr not don’t forget? And, more critical, why did he not notify Usa Hockey at the time?

Fehr told investigators he wouldn’t have notified United states Hockey anyway with out recognizing much more aspects about what Aldrich did and irrespective of whether Beach had noted it. In that circumstance, why did he not check with for these facts or why did Gurney not give them?

Gurney advised investigators he remained in standard get hold of with Fehr but in no way adopted up about Aldrich. Why? And why did he not retain observe of Aldrich himself and attempt to notify his later on companies, this sort of as Notre Dame and Miami of Ohio?

Black Ace 1’s former agent, Joe Resnick, emailed Fehr in April 2011 about Black Ace 1 speaking with an NHLPA-affiliated therapist about the sexual harassment he endured. In that electronic mail, Resnick wrote: ‘‘I know you have spoken with [Gurney] concerning an incident with [Beach] . . . final year.’’

How did Resnick know about the conversation amongst Gurney and Fehr? The most reasonable remedy is that Gurney informed him, but that situation would propose the Seaside/Aldrich incident was much more widely talked over between related persons than the investigation indicates. What other discussions transpired? Who else could possibly have been told?

Investigators uncovered cell phone records of a 14-minute connect with amongst Resnick and Fehr hrs following that email, but neither Resnick nor Fehr remembers the call. What was said? Why did it not lead to tangible motion? How do neither keep in mind it?

Dr. Brian Shaw, a psychologist in the NHL/NHLPA’s Compound Abuse and Behavioral Overall health Application, informed investigators Seaside gave him a ‘‘graphic account’’ of Aldrich’s sexual assault and questioned whether or not someone was contacting United states Hockey about Aldrich. But Shaw regarded as Beach’s comments a ‘‘privileged conversation’’ concerning patient and therapist and consequently confidential. As a result, he did not notify Usa Hockey.

Why did Shaw not ask Seashore whether or not he desired him to call Usa Hockey? Why did he not make clear that perceived confidentiality with Seashore?

Shaw also didn’t share the story of his simply call with Beach with Jenner & Block investigators for the duration of the Hawks’ investigation final 12 months because they asked him regardless of whether he had ‘‘met’’ with Beach, not irrespective of whether he had talked with him in general. Why did Shaw at first withhold this data around these a technicality?

At last, the conclusions of the investigation plainly show a pervasive culture of weak communication and deferral of responsibility in the NHLPA and other NHL circles. So how is that not indicative of an ‘‘institutional failure of plan or procedure’’?

Some may well dismiss this investigation and its inquiries as comparatively irrelevant. In truth, Beach’s lawsuit has been settled, and the former Hawks executives included in the protect-up have been fired.

But to make sure a similar breakdown of accountability doesn’t occur once more, all bases need to be protected. The NHLPA continues to be the affiliation liable for protecting NHL gamers and their pursuits. Fehr remains its director. Gurney and Resnick keep on being agents. They all make any difference. And these thoughts will linger unanswered.