Brent Sopel issues a public statement concerning Marc Crawford

The former NHLer speaks out about the allegations against his former coach.

HockeyFeed
HockeyFeed
Published 4 years ago
Brent Sopel issues a public statement concerning Marc Crawford
Zuma Press

Former NHL defenseman Brent Sopel has released a public statement concerning the allegations of abuse levied against Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford. Sopel, of course, was implicated in the allegations based on some stories that he shared about his years with Crawford during his time with the Vancouver. Canucks.

Read below:



About a year ago, I was a guest on the hockey podcast called “Spittin Chiclets” to talk about the Brent Sopel Foundation, which is a charity that I started to advocate for and to assist people with dyslexia. Being a hockey podcast, I told some stories from many years ago about my time as a professional hockey player. I shared those stories to entertain the listeners. I told those stories as a former NHL defenseman, and not as a victim.
The stories that I shared on “Spittin Chiclets” have recently been cited alongside accusations made by allegations against anyone or any organization. I was only speaking to how Coach Crawford affected me. I cannot speak for how others were affected by him. I played hundreds of games for Coach Crawford, including a season where I posted 42 points. He found ways to motivate and make me a better player. He molded me into a player that went on to win a Stanley Cup in Chicago.
I recognize and respect that different coaching tactics affect people in different ways. Just as I prefer others not speak on my behalf about my life experiences, I will not comment on Coach Crawford’s impact on other players. Those are not my stories to tell.
Time has a way of changing people and the way that we do things. I am proud to say that I have been on the forefront of change. I was the first NHL athlete to ever bring the Stanley Cup to a Pride Parade. I did this back in 2010.
These days my story revolves around my foundation and changing the way the world looks at dyslexia. This “learning difference” affects one in every five people, myself included. Through the Brent Sopel Foundation, we will continue work on providing resources and on supporting legislation for early detection and intervention on behalf of individuals with dyslexia.
A difference ought not be a disadvantage. I’m doing what I can to make a difference.

You know what? Good on Sopel for not piling on. Agree or disagree with the current wave of change cresting in the NHL these days, it takes a real man of integrity to stand up and speak his mind without being led one way or another by public perception. Sopel could have easily cried foul like others have done in recent weeks, but he simply didn’t feel like he’d been victimized. 

Source: Brent Sopel