Chicago, IL – After a lengthy suspension due to their handling of sexual assault allegations, former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, general manager Stan Bowman, and executive Al MacIsaac have been reinstated by the NHL. The suspension came after the release of an independent report in October 2021 detailing their inadequate response to the allegations made by former player Kyle Beach against video coach Brad Aldrich.
The allegations, which were brought to the attention of team management in 2010, were met with a lackluster response, allowing Aldrich to continue working with the team. Three years later, Aldrich was convicted of criminal sexual conduct with a minor in Michigan.
Following the release of the report, Bowman and MacIsaac were immediately ousted by the Blackhawks, while Quenneville resigned as head coach of the Florida Panthers. Quenneville, the second-winningest coach in NHL history, now has the opportunity to resume his coaching career and chase Scotty Bowman’s all-time wins record.
Both Quenneville and Bowman have actively sought reinstatement, with Bowman being considered for general manager positions last summer. Quenneville expressed remorse for his actions in a podcast interview earlier this year, stating that he believes there is a place for him in the game.
According to sources, both Quenneville and Bowman have taken steps to demonstrate their remorse and awareness of the responsibilities that come with their positions in the league. They have engaged with advocacy groups and individuals working for positive change in the NHL, showing a commitment to personal improvement and education.
On Monday, amid the start of free agency and a national holiday in Canada, the NHL announced that Quenneville, Bowman, and MacIsaac had shown significant progress and were eligible to return to the league. The league acknowledged their past mistakes while highlighting their efforts to address alleged acts of abuse and demonstrate a greater awareness of their roles as leaders in the sport.