NHL commissioner Gary Bettman apologizes to Kyle Beach

On Saturday morning, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman held a phone meeting with Kyle Beach, the player who identified himself following the results of the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault investigation.

The phone call lasted roughly twenty minutes according to TSN's Rick Westhead, and Bettman started the meeting by saying to Beach, "Call me Gary".

Bettman went on to apologize on behalf of the National Hockey League for the abuse that he suffered while he was with the Blackhawks as a 'Black Ace' during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He also told Beach that the NHL would provide counselling for him and his family for as long as they need.

TSN's Rick Westhead said in a tweet, "Kyle asked why NHL allowed the Blackhawks to commission an investigation into his abuse allegations.
Bettman answered that the NHL believed it was appropriate to allow CHI to do hire investigator, and the league planned review of findings at end of process, Kyle's lawyer told me."

Bettman also said that NHL executives did not know about Beach's identity prior to his interview on TSN with Rick Westhead. It's hard to believe that especially when the results of the investigation were so detailed, going as far as saying that "John Doe" who was Kyle Beach, was a 'Black Ace' with the club in 2010 and is currently playing in Germany. With those two key details, anyone could find out who Beach was, and his lawyer said that during the call.

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman had a 20-min video call with Kyle Beach this morning, Kyle's lawyer tells me.
Bettman started call saying, "Call me Gary."
Then said the NHL is sorry for the abuse that Beach suffered at the hands of former Blackhawks coach Brad Aldrich.— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) October 30, 2021

Bettman promised the NHL would provide counselling services for Kyle and his family as long as needed.— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) October 30, 2021

Bettman said that NHL executives had no idea of Kyle's identity before his interview with TSN on Wednesday. Kyle's lawyer asked why that would be the case b/c court docs had already indicated it was a Black Ace now playing pro in Germany.— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) October 30, 2021

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