Actions have consequences. It’s a lesson children learn the hard way from touching burning pots and swatting at household pets.
If a four-year-old can understand that sticking a fork in an electric socket is a bad idea, then a 108-year-old institution like the NHL can learn how to discipline its players and coaches.
In 2018, while celebrating a world championship in London, ON five Hockey Canada players were accused of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room. A settlement was reached in April 2022 for 3.5 million dollars. Details of the case were shared by TSN in May but by June the case was re-opened by London Police.
After three long years, the trial began this April, exposing the vile details of what happened that night.
When the not-guilty verdict was read in July, the NHL was quick to make a statement calling the behaviour “disturbing” and “unacceptable” and stating the players were ineligible to play in the NHL while the league reviewed the judge’s findings.
Last week, the NHL released a new statement, reversing the decision.
This resolution confirmed an awful truth: in the NHL, disgusting behaviour can be ignored as long as a player is scoring goals and winning championships.
In their explanation, the NHL said the players expressed “remorse” for their actions, as if a weak apology makes up for all the pain they caused.
It wouldn’t be the first time the NHL accepted a pathetic excuse.
Stan Bowman, then General Manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, neglected to report sexual assault allegations during the team’s 2010 playoff run. The alleged offender, Assistant Coach Brad Aldrich, was quietly let go after the team won that year. He went on to volunteer at a high school where he was convicted of sexually assaulting a student.
When Bowman was hired by the Edmonton Oilers in 2024, there was a press conference. Bowman said he “regretted” the way he handled things, and that his time away allowed him to “learn” from the experience. The league accepted his apology and moved on.
Players too are given free passes to act like despicable human beings. New York Islander Tony DeAngelo knows them all too well.
During his junior career he was suspended for violating the league’s harassment, abuse and diversity policy. In a statement, the OHL said DeAngelo made “inappropriate” comments towards his teammate. He was suspended for eight games and later that year was drafted 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Since his debut in the NHL he has been suspended three times.
First for the physical abuse of an official, then for spearing a member of the opposing team, and finally, a fine for embellishment. In January 2021, he was put on waivers by the New York Rangers after he attacked his teammate, Alexander Georgiev.
He was signed by the Carolina Hurricanes six months later.
The five Hockey Canada players, Bowman, DeAngelo and so many others have never faced real consequences at the hands of the NHL. This negligence infects hockey at all levels.
The NHL needs to implement an official code of conduct to hold players accountable for their actions.
Right now, the penalty box might as well be a VIP lounge.