Editor’s Note: The following story deals with sexual assault, and may be distressing for some readers.

If you or someone you know is in need of support, those in Canada can find province-specific centres, crisis lines and services here. For readers in America, a list of resources and references for survivors and their loved ones can be found here.

The NHL has reinstated executives Joel Quenneville, Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac effective immediately, the league announced Monday.

They are eligible to seek employment in the NHL, but cannot start in a position until July 10.

The three executives have been ineligible to work for the league for two and a half years as a result of their “inadequate response upon being informed in 2010 of allegations that Blackhawks Player, Kyle Beach, had been assaulted by the Club’s video coach,” the league said in a statement.

The NHL goes on to say that, while the club’s response at the time was 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 League expects that they will continue this commitment in any future capacity with the NHL and/or one of our Clubs.”

Quenneville, former Florida Panthers head coach, resigned in October 2021 when specifics of how the Blackhawks mishandled the allegations were revealed. Quenneville was Chicago’s head coach when the abuse occurred.

Quenneville denies he was informed of the alleged assault at the time, a claim disputed by Beach. 

Quenneville resigned after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, who said he supported the decision. At the time, Bettman noted that if Quenneville wanted to return to the NHL, he needed to seek clearance from the commissioner to do so. 

A former Toronto Maple Leaf during his playing career, Quenneville coached the Blackhawks from 2008 to 2019, winning three Stanley Cups, before he was hired by the Panthers in April 2019.  

Bowman was former general manager of the Blackhawks and resigned from that position in October 2021.

MacIsaac also was an executive with Chicago.

After a tumultuous few weeks for the Chicago Blackhawks organization, head coach Joel Quenneville and general manager Stan Bowman have been reinstated by the NHL. The decision comes after an investigation into allegations of mishandling a player’s sexual assault claims against a former assistant coach.

Quenneville and Bowman were placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation, which found that while they were aware of the allegations, they did not take appropriate action to address them. The NHL determined that their actions did not rise to the level of misconduct warranting termination.

The reinstatement of Quenneville and Bowman has sparked mixed reactions among fans and players alike. Some believe that they should have been held more accountable for their inaction, while others feel that they deserve a second chance to prove themselves.

Quenneville, who is one of the most successful coaches in NHL history, has expressed remorse for his handling of the situation and has vowed to do better in the future. Bowman, who has been with the Blackhawks for over a decade, has also acknowledged his mistakes and has committed to implementing changes within the organization to prevent similar incidents from occurring.

Moving forward, the Blackhawks will be under close scrutiny as they work to rebuild trust with their fans and players. Quenneville and Bowman will need to demonstrate that they are committed to creating a safe and inclusive environment for all members of the organization.

The NHL’s decision to reinstate Quenneville and Bowman serves as a reminder of the importance of holding individuals in positions of power accountable for their actions. It also highlights the need for organizations to prioritize the safety and well-being of their employees above all else. Only time will tell if Quenneville and Bowman are able to regain the trust of those around them and lead the Blackhawks to success on and off the ice.