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NHLPA Executive Director Donald Fehr releases statement following TSN's interview with Kyle Beach

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Cooper Godin
October 28, 2021  (0:49)
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On Wednesday evening's edition of SportsCentre on TSN, reporter Rick Westhead interviewed Kyle Beach, who was the victim of the Chicago Blackhawks' investigation into sexual assault allegations from 2010. Beach came forward to Westhead and TSN, wanting to reveal his identity.

During his interview, Beach mentioned that he talked to people within the NHLPA who spoke to Executive Director Donald Fehr. Fehr opted to do nothing regarding Beach's claims.

"I believe two different people talked to Don Fehr. And for him to turn his back on the players when his one job is to protect the players at all costs, I don't know how that can be your leader. I don't know how he can be in charge. If that's what he's going to do when a player comes to you and tells you something, whether it be abuse, whether it be drugs, whether it be anything, you're supposed to have the players' backs and they definitely didn't have mine."

Late on Wednesday night, Donald Fehr came out with a statement talking about Beach and his comments during the TSN interview.

"Kyle Beach has been through a horrific experience and has shown true courage in telling his story. There is no doubt that the system failed to support him in his time of need, and we are part of that system," Fehr said.

He added, "In his media interview, Mr. Beach stated that several months after the incident he told someone at the NHLPA the details of what happened to him. He is referring to one of the program doctors with the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program. While this program is confidential between players and the doctors, the grave nature of this incident should have resulted in further action on our part. The fact that it did not was a serious failure. I am truly sorry, and I am committed to making changes to ensure it does not happen again."