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The Ottawa Senators were in Texas on Friday, but some thoughts were reserved for Kyle Beach in Germany.
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As repercussions surrounding the Chicago Blackhawks scandal in the NHL continue (former Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville resigned as the Florida Panthers bench chief Thursday night), Senators coach DJ Smith says he is more concerned about the victim.
“It’s so unfortunate that Kyle Beach had to go through that,” Smith told reporters in Dallas before Friday night’s game between the Senators and Stars.
“There is a lot of talk about people being laid off and losing their jobs. Imagine being that poor kid and living with everything that has happened. “
Beach, who now plays in Germany, was a first-round pick for the Blackhawks in 2008 and was practicing with the team during the 2010 NHL playoffs.
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During an off-ice encounter with video coach Brad Aldrich, he alleges he was sexually abused. He brought those concerns to the team and the NHLPA, only to have them dismissed as the Blackhawks chased the 2010 Stanley Cup.
Beach did not receive justice until an independent review this year exposed the Blackhawks for failing to act, resulting in the resignation of Chicago general manager Stan Bowman and senior vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac. The team was also fined $ 2 million by the NHL. Quenneville resigned after meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
Beach went public to tell her story on TSN earlier this week.
“(Former NHL coach) John Tortorella said it last night,” Smith continued. “If that was your own son, how would you feel about this situation? I have a 17 year old boy (Colton) who plays junior hockey and it would be crushing. My thoughts and everything is now with (Beach) and all the victims. “
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Smith says he believes the old-school hockey culture, where awkward problems were buried within the locker room, is changing.
“You have to do the right thing and in that situation, (the Blackhawks) didn’t do it,” he said. “I believe that through processes like this, people will get better at continually doing the right thing. Maybe there was a culture before, but I think it’s really starting to get better and there is more to go, for sure. “
The Senators coach says the hockey community is gradually coming to terms with mental health issues.
“(A player) should be able to go to the coach, go to the coach, go to the general manager and get the help they need without ever being frowned upon.”
Senators winger Connor Brown agrees that the locker room walls are collapsing in several areas.
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“With the boys’ livelihoods, mental health and so many things at stake, I think those things should take precedence over winning wins,” Brown said.
Like Smith, he says his thoughts are with Beach.
“He’s tough, I feel sorry for him,” Brown said. “And the courage he had to come forward and say something is very special. It paved the way for it to be easier for the next boy. So that’s an important thing that we can learn … and grow from this. “
GO TO GUSTAVSSON: It made sense on a couple of fronts for Smith to give Filip Gustavsson the start Friday against Dallas. He allowed just two goals on 34 shots in a 3-2 win over the Stars on Oct. 17, the Senators’ latest win heading into Friday’s contest. In his 11 NHL games, Gustavsson has allowed more than three goals just once and the opportunity is hitting. Given that Anton Forsberg has struggled in his last two games, Gustavsson could make the decision to send him back to AHL Belleville when Matt Murray returns from his neck injury.
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GAMBRELL ENTERS THE LINE: Center Dylan Gambrell, acquired in a trade from San Jose earlier in the week, made his Senators debut against Dallas, playing a fourth row that also included Zach Sanford and Logan Shaw. With Auston Watson nearing a return from his ankle injury, the Senators could be forced to make a roster decision before the three-game trip is over. Scott Sabourin was a healthy scratch up front on Friday, with Michael del Zotto being the odd man on defense … All-star defender Jani Hakanpaa, who had played in the previous seven games of the regular season, was a scratch. late after being placed on the NHL COVID. 19 protocol.
Reference-ottawasun.com