Kyle Beach's lawyer calls on Gary Bettman to resolve lawsuit with Blackhawks
Do the right thing for once, Gary.
HockeyFeed
In case you missed it last night, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman acknowledged former Chicago Blackhawks prospect Kyle Beach at the annual Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
Token words from a token commissioner, if you ask me.
Bettman, of course, is under fire for his role in the alleged cover up of a sexual abuse scandal that has rocked the Blackhawks and the league. Beach came forward last month as "John Doe #1" in a lawsuit that alleges former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him and that Beach made the Blackhawks, the NHL and the NHLPA aware of his allegations... yet nothing was done. Longtime Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman resigned in disgrace, former Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville resigned from his position with the Florida Panthers in disgrace, it's anticipated that NHLPA head Donald Fehr will be replaced as a result of a union-led investigation, as well. Yet Bettman... he's made of titanium, I suppose.
Despite all of the blame that lies at Bettman's feet, he's unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon. This isn't his first scandal and it's unlikely to be his last. Fans, myself included, are steadfast in their belief that Bettman should resign. But, if he's not going to resign, he should at least make things better for Kyle Beach and "John Doe #2" beyond just using his lawyerly voice. Put up or shut up, Gary.
Incidentally, Beach's lawyer feels the same way. In a message to TSN's Rick Westhead this morning, Beach's lawyer says he/she is "tired of the stalling," from Bettman and the NHL and that he/she would like to see the commissioner mediate settlement talks between Beach and the Blackhawks.
Check it out:
I don't know the first thing about the legal process in situations like this and I know even less about mediation, but I'd absolutely LOVE to see Bettman's feet held to the fire on this. You were in charge when all this happened, Gary... so... what's a fair resolution in your eyes? Show us what you really stand for and what you really feel. What's more important? Money or the integrity of the game?
