EDMONTON, Alberta — The Edmonton Oilers hired Stan Bowman as general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations on Wednesday, making him the first former Chicago Blackhawks executive rehired by an NHL team since the team’s 2010 sexual assault case came to light in recent years.
The league reinstated Bowman, coach Joel Quenneville and fellow executive Al MacIsaac earlier this month. Bowman resigned as Chicago’s GM in 2021 after an independent investigation found the organization mishandled the allegations made by player Kyle Beach that he was sexually assaulted by video coach Brad Aldridge.
Bowman, 51, ran the Blackhawks when they won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2015.
“I believe his vast experience and proven success in this role, together with the important work he has done in his time away from the game, fits our goal of being best in class when it comes to all facets of our organization,” CEO of hockey operations Jeff Jackson said. “Through our many conversations, we share a common vision of where we are as a team and what is required to achieve another Stanley Cup title.”
Bowman becomes the 11th general manager in Oilers history and succeeds Hall of Fame executive Ken Holland, whose contract was not renewed after the team’s run to the Stanley Cup Final, where the Oilers lost in Game 7 to the Florida Panthers.
Bowman was never formally suspended after the Blackhawks investigation, but NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said earlier his month that Bowman, Quenneville and MacIsaac could return to working in the league under “appropriate conditions,” including a continued “commitment” to participating in “myriad programs, many of which focused on the imperative of responding in effective and meaningful ways to address alleged acts of abuse.”
“While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has acknowledged that and used his time away from the game to engage in activities which not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what happened, but also evidence greater awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL personnel have, particularly personnel who are in positions of leadership,” the NHL said in a statement when the three were reinstated on July 1.
Former player Sheldon Kennedy, who went public about being sexually abused as a coach and has since co-founded the Respect Group to train people to help prevent bullying, harassment and abuse, wrote a lengthy letter endorsing Bowman and explaining the work he has done in recent years.
“I believe Stan would be a valuable asset to an organization due to his acknowledgment of past mistakes and his relentless efforts to make the locker room/game safer for everyone,” Kennedy wrote. “He possesses the insights, knowledge, and confidence needed to lead in this area. I feel building a strong and healthy culture within an organization and practicing it on an ongoing basis will be a top priority for Stan. I also believe Stan will carry this message within the hockey eco system, which can only help.”
Bowman, son of hockey Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman, is credited with being the architect of Chicago’s three Stanley Cup titles. He has had various jobs with the team since 2001 and was elevated to general manager in 2009. He was promoted to president of hockey operations in 2020 while maintaining his general manager duties.
ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski, Ryan S. Clark and The Associated Press contributed to this report.