Bruins F Taylor Hall blasts NHL's 'old boys’ club' following Blackhawks sexual abuse coverup

The identity of the former Chicago Blackhawks player who brought to light explosive sexual assault allegations against the team has been revealed as Kyle Beach, a 2008 Draft selection who suffered abuse at the hands of then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The full details of the report that was released yesterday afternoon have resulted in the resignations of general manager Stan Bowman and senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac. Additionally, the team was fined $2 million by the NHL.

The Blackhawks promptly issued a statement on social media, apologizing for what Beach suffered through as well as reiterating their commitment that such behavior never happens again. Meanwhile, Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville, who was Chicago's head coach at the time of the abuse, resigned his position yesterday evening. 

Of course, the fact that Quenneville was behind the Panthers bench on Wednesday night against the Bruins after his role in ignoring the abuse suffered by Beach caused quite a stir on social media. 

Meanwhile, forward Taylor Hall had plenty to say about the situation, blasting what he believes is an "old boys club" mentality in the NHL today that contributed to the abuse being covered up. 

"Every culture needs to keep getting better, and hockey’s no different," Hall told reporters, via WEEI radio. "This is a game that’s a little bit of a, I guess what you would call an old boys’ club, and there’s definitely some secrecy and things that need to change. Hopefully they can. You never want to think of an incident like this, positives coming from it, because it’s been so terrible, but there needs to be changes, and unfortunately people need to be held accountable."

“Our hearts go out to Kyle Beach,” Hall said. “We were playing junior at a similar time. It’s just so unfortunate he had to go through that. I think everyone -- we were talking about it last night -- everyone feels terrible for him and hopes that he can get some solace at the end of this.”

Hall and the Bruins will be facing the Panthers, who are now led by interim coach Andrew Brunette, on Saturday.