The Edmonton Oilers have officially hired Stan Bowman as their new General Manager and Executive Vice President of Hockey Operations.
Bowman replaces outgoing Hall-of-Fame general manager Ken Holland, who agreed to part ways with the Oilers after working with them since 2019.
“I am excited and pleased to welcome Stan to the Edmonton Oilers,” Oilers CEO of Hockey Operations Jeff Jackson said in a statement.
“I believe his extensive experience and proven success in this role, coupled with the important work he has done during his time away from the sport, align with our goal of being best in class in all areas of our organization.
“Through our many conversations, we share a common vision of where we are as a team and what it will take to win the Stanley Cup again.”
Former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has accepted a job with the Edmonton Oilers
Bowman was suspended for his role in the cover-up of a sexual assault on Kyle Beach
The 51-year-old Bowman, son of legendary coach Scotty Bowman, is best known as the architect of three Stanley Cup championship teams in Chicago in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
But he is also notable as one of three men suspended by the NHL for their roles in covering up sexual abuse by a video analyst during the 2010 Stanley Cup campaign.
Bowman was reinstated to the NHL on July 1, along with former Senior VP of Hockey Operations Al MacIsaac and former coach Joel Quenneville.
“While it is clear that their responses at the time were unacceptable, each of these three individuals (Messrs. Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville) have acknowledged that and have used their time away from the game to participate in activities that not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what occurred, but also demonstrate a heightened awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL employees have, particularly those in positions of leadership,” an NHL statement said at the time of their reinstatement.
In addition, each of them has made significant progress in personal improvement through participation in numerous programs, many of which have focused on the need to respond to perceived abuse in an effective and meaningful way.
“The League expects that they will continue this commitment with the NHL and/or one of our clubs in the future.”
Bowman was reinstated on July 1, along with Al MacIsaac (left) and Joel Quenneville (right)
Since his reinstatement, details have emerged about Bowman’s collaboration with Sheldon Kennedy, a former NHL player and co-founder of the Respect Group, a Canadian company founded to provide prevention programs for bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination.
“Given the decades I’ve spent working in the space of not just sexual abuse, but all forms of abuse, harassment and discrimination, it seemed like everyone in the media and the hockey community at large wanted my reaction to this horrible news. I heard Kyle Beach’s interview and found it to be as honest and raw as they come,” Kennedy said in a letter titled “My Work With Stan Bowman.”
“I remember clearly saying that this was a terrible situation with a huge impact on those involved. However, I also believed that it could be a powerful learning opportunity if you approach it with courage. I have always believed that no matter how bad a situation is, something good can always come out of it. This incident was no exception.”
The letter continued: ‘I was immediately impressed by Stan’s genuine care and concern for Kyle, and what could have been done differently. During that time, we talked almost daily about the seriousness of sexual abuse from the perspective of the victim. We didn’t talk about hockey at all. We focused on what went wrong, what he could have done differently, and most importantly, what could be done to prevent this from happening again.’
The letter also said that Bowman was volunteering “almost full-time” to work with the company on drafting a charter.
Bowman’s work with the Respect Group was detailed in a letter from the company’s co-founder
‘Stan’s acceptance, open-mindedness and understanding were huge difference makers in setting up this workshop. I was impressed by Stan’s insights, but more importantly, how deeply he cared about me.’
Kennedy’s letter concluded: I believe Stan would be a valuable asset to an organization because of his recognition of past mistakes and his tireless efforts to make the locker room/game safer for everyone. He possesses the insight, knowledge and confidence needed to lead in this area. I believe building a strong and healthy culture within an organization and practicing that on an ongoing basis will be a top priority for Stan. I also believe Stan will carry this message throughout the hockey ecosystem, which can only help.
“Lastly and most importantly, I think Stan will do everything he can to make sure that what happened to Kyle Beach (who is a hero to me) doesn’t happen to anyone else.”
On May 7, 2021, a former Blackhawks player — initially filed as John Doe, later revealed as Kyle Beach — accused former video coach Brad Aldrich of sexual abuse during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Beach also alleged that Aldrich threatened him physically, emotionally and financially.
Law firm Jenner & Block conducted a month-long investigation that revealed that executives met after the company’s Western Conference Finals victory over the San Jose Sharks to discuss the allegations.
However, the executives — including Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville — decided not to address the claims until after the Stanley Cup Finals. The report concluded that the issue was never raised again.
Aldrich was given the option to resign or be fired by the Blackhawks’ human resources director if the allegations were true. Aldrich chose to resign and was still allowed to participate in the celebrations after the Blackhawks won the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.
Brad Aldrich allegedly assaulted a student and was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor while working as an assistant coach at a high school in Houghton, Michigan
Following an investigation, the NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million after Beach came forward
Aldrich then worked for the University of Notre Dame and Miami University in Ohio before becoming an assistant coach at a high school in Houghton, Michigan.
He was accused of sexual abuse at Miami University and was later convicted of sexual contact with a minor at his high school job. Aldrich served nine months in prison and was required to register as a sex offender in the state of Michigan.
In October 2021, Kyle Beach gave an interview on SportsCentre in Canada and confirmed that he was John Doe. He talked about his experiences with the Blackhawks.
After the investigation was completed, Bowman and MacIsaac resigned from their positions with the team on October 26. Quenneville, then head coach of the Florida Panthers, also resigned two days later.
The Blackhawks were fined $2 million by the NHL following the investigation’s completion.
Beach and the Blackhawks reached a confidential settlement in December 2021.
In November 2023, another anonymous former Blackhawks prospect filed a negligence lawsuit against the Blackhawks for suppressing his complaints of sexual harassment and threats of physical harm by Aldrich during the 2010 playoffs.