Kyle Beach calls out the NHL and the NHLPA

Former Chicago Blackhawks draft pick Kyle Beach has revealed that he is in fact "John Doe" from the Chicago Blackhawks' sexual abuse scandal during a one on one interview with TSN's Rick Westhead this evening.

Beach eloquently answered questions for 25 minutes and, frankly, he showed strength and resolve that I personally don't think I could ever muster. This is a man who has been living with the effects of this horrific abuse for 11 years, for him to speak about it on live television is remarkable. And then to speak so eloquently and cohesively is... it's just mind blowing to me. What an incredible show of courage.

For the full interview, click below:

Quite frankly there are dozens of quotes from Beach that elicit a range of emotions from defeated sadness to fiery rage.

When asked about accountability though, something stood out to me in Beach's comments. He specifically mentions that both the NHL, headed by commissioner Gary Bettman, and the NHLPA, under the guidance of Donald Fehr, essentially ignored him.

From Beach himself:

"I think that the step the Blackhawks took yesterday is a great step in the right direction. They accepted accountability and they took actions necessary, albeit too late. And the denials until yesterday, I commend them for what they did. Part of this process - I’m not sure what it was, three or four months ago – the NHL denied an investigation. They wanted nothing to do with it, they didn’t want to touch it. USA Sport also denied doing an investigation."

Kyle Beach

Why am I not surprised? Bettman, Fehr and this entire league has only ever been interested in protecting its own self-interests. I'm sorry that the sport has failed you so badly, Kyle.