EDMONTON — When is enough contrition enough?
When does remorse, plus education, plus self-evaluation add up to a second chance, as it has for Stan Bowman in Edmonton?
Never? That is the answer that some want to read in this space.
Sorry, you won’t read “never” here. Not when we’re talking about a second chance, as opposed to a third or a fourth.
But really, a chance is all we’ll give Stan Bowman today, as he takes over the general manager’s job in Edmonton. A chance to prove over the long haul that he is the man he says he is on press conference day.
“My response was inadequate back in 2010. I didn’t handle things properly,” Bowman began on Wednesday, words he says he has spoken directly to Kyle Beach. “I should have done more, and that’s something I regret.”
Of course, he was referring to his role in the Beach sexual assault incident when Bowman was the GM of the Chicago Blackhawks. The term they use for Bowman, and then-Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville, was “bystander.”
Both were there at the epicentre, grown men who should have had greater courage and common sense. Yet both did nothing to stop then-video coach Brad Aldrich’s predatory behaviour.
Neither man made sure Aldrich was stopped in his tracks in Chicago, or even that he was not free to ply his trade elsewhere after departing the Blackhawks, where he victimized another young hockey player.
Unforgiveable? That’s a conversation we can have.
It was a massive mistake by Bowman, but he seems to have taken full responsibility over the two-and-a-half years since he was banned from the National Hockey League.
He has spoken at great length with Beach — including on Tuesday evening — and appears to have gained Beach’s endorsement for a return to a position of power in hockey. He spoke even more with Sheldon Kennedy, hockey’s foremost advocate for improving the sport’s culture.
“In that process I feel like I’ve learned some things that I didn’t know. I’ve learned ways that I could do a better job in the future,” Bowman said.
Is he legit?
For me, actions will answer that question.
But having Kennedy’s endorsement goes a long way, admittedly. If Kennedy and Beach each feel that Bowman has qualified for a second chance — Kennedy came to Wednesday’s press conference to say just that — then who are any of us to say otherwise?
“I work a lot in the addiction world,” said Kennedy. “I know for myself, I tried to fake my way through it for a long time. It wasn’t until I became humbled and honest… and acknowledged the impact on those who were hurt because of my actions.
“You know when (those admissions) are real and when they’re not real. Stan’s were absolutely real.”
Some will say this is the old boys hockey world hiring one of their own. That the Oilers don’t need the baggage that comes with this hire.
Kennedy says it’s quite the opposite: a forward-thinking move by an organization that sees an opportunity to give a changed man the kind of platform that Kennedy’s Respect Group requires to get a foothold. An organization with the courage to take on the blowback, in order to provide Bowman with a chance to show us how today’s GM is supposed to carry himself.
“I think Stan can be a great asset in this space. Not just for the Edmonton Oilers but for the community,” Kennedy said. “I think he’s really in a position to help drive change. That is what we need in this space.
“The Oilers, I believe have someone who is very knowledgeable about very sensitive, important issues that have huge impact if they’re not dealt with properly. I think that’s an asset.”
Kennedy said earlier this month in an op-ed, “I clearly recall expressing that this was a terrible situation with significant impact to those involved. I also believed, however, it could serve as a powerful learning opportunity if approached with courage.”
Courage to grant a second chance.
There have been plenty of second chances awarded in our game, perhaps the most famous one afforded to Craig MacTavish, back in 1985. MacTavish spent a year in prison on a vehicular homicide charge and DUI after killing 26-year-old Kim Radley as a member of the Boston Bruins. He was 25 years old.
He signed with the Oilers, built an excellent on-ice career, and in the ensuing years has become a valued member of the Northern Alberta community. MacTavish made a grave mistake, paid a price, and today nobody would say that Glen Sather and Harry Sinden did not make the right choice regarding MacTavish’s return to the game.
Now, under a completely different set of circumstances, it’s Bowman’s turn to restart his life here in Edmonton.
It’s not just ‘a job in hockey,’ GM’ing these Edmonton Oilers. It is, where an opportunity to win meshes with an open GM position, THE job in hockey this summer.
Does Bowman deserve it?
The old Stan Bowman certainly does not.
Now, we will see if the new one does.