Hockey culture needs to change: Lowry

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This article was published 01/11/2021 (1053 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

They’ve been mostly silent observers over the past week while the organization that signs their paycheques has been put under a microscope.

But members of the Winnipeg Jets say they’ve been quietly watching — and learning — about a sexual assault scandal that has reverberated throughout the hockey world. On Tuesday, as their general manager and co-owner spoke publicly on the matter for the first time, a handful of players joined the chorus as well.

First up was Adam Lowry, the veteran forward who was drafted by the Jets in the summer of 2011. Kevin Cheveldayoff was the man who called his name that day in St. Paul, Minn., the second-ever selection announced by the new head of the organization, who had just come over from the Chicago Blackhawks that summer. Lowry, who is now Winnipeg’s National Hockey League Players’ Association representative, said this tragic case has underscored the need to change a culture that can be toxic, at times.

“It’s one of those things where, as a hockey player, you’re kind of taught the overall well-being of the team is greater than the sum of the parts,” he said.

“As we move forward, I think it’s important we look at the importance of the sum of the parts. Not just being a piece of the team, but it’s important your livelihood, your life away from the rink is looked after, that we take care of that. If you have problems, if you need to seek help, you’re not going to be a distraction, you’re not going to be a disturbance, you’re not a burden to anyone.”

That win-at-all-costs mentality was highlighted in a damning independent report last week as the primary reason so many members of the Chicago management team essentially looked the other way when video coach Brad Aldrich was accused of sexual impropriety against two young players. The Blackhawks were on their way to winning the Stanley Cup that spring.

“It’s one of those things where, in the room, you’re taught to be selfless,” said Lowry.

“We all want to help each other, we all want to achieve a common goal, but we don’t want anyone to be suffering in silence. I think as things come forward, as we progress as a society, not just in hockey but just in everyday life, it’s become a lot more mainstream. We’re dealing with mental health, we’re dealing with drug abuse, we’re dealing with sexual assaults, sexual abuse and things like that. There’s more resources you can go to, there’s more people you can turn to. And I think that’s the next step forward, just continuing on that path.”

Cheveldayoff spoke with the Jets last week when they were in Los Angeles, one day before he met face-to-face in New York with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Cheveldayoff was exonerated, and explained Tuesday how he was kept in the dark about the full scope of the allegations against Aldrich, which he was assured were being handled by higher-ups within the organization.

“When Chevy addressed the team, it was powerful,” said defenceman and alternate captain Josh Morrissey.

“It was something that you could see how important for him to address us and talk to us and make sure if we didn’t know already it was a safe space for this locker room and the organization — if it’s anything, if it’s family matters, if it’s anything that you’re dealing with — it was really powerful. For Chevy to do that, and to be open to the guys if they had any questions about anything, it’s leadership. I think it really meant a lot to me as a player that he was willing to do that and speak to us.”

Most players didn’t have a chance to watch Tuesday’s late-afternoon press conference with Cheveldayoff and Chipman, as they were preparing for their game against the Dallas Stars. But they made it clear Cheveldayoff has their full support.

“I know I’ve been with this organization for 11 years now, Mark Chipman and Chevy have been there through it all and they’re some of the best people in the world and especially in this community,” said Mark Scheifele, who was the first-ever pick by Cheveldayoff. “They’re character guys, fantastic human beings. They’re people that you look up to, when I was younger, people that gave me guidance. They’re fantastic people and I love playing for this organization and I love playing for those guys.”

Lowry participated in an emergency NHLPA meeting on Monday in which the fate of executive director Donald Fehr was discussed. Players ultimately voted in favour of an independent investigation led by outside counsel following allegations from one of Aldrich’s victims, Kyle Beach, that his report to the union of the abuse he suffered was ignored.

“It’s important that we look at our union, we look at processes that went in to how it was reported, how things happened, how things unfolded with Kyle in regards to members of the union. To learn more and shed some light on what happened, what could possibly change, what needs to change in order that some of these things don’t repeat themselves,” said Lowry.

“To see if anyone’s at fault or where, not necessarily to blame, but where inaction or more action needs to be done. And go from there. It’s important we use this investigation to move forward and make our union stronger. To make sure it’s a place where if you have troubles you can go, you can feel that problems aren’t just going to be heard, but dealt with accordingly and properly and by the law and things like that. I think we’re all just looking forward to seeing how the independent investigation unfolds and go from there.”

And the biggest takeaway for the future?

“Whoever they are, whatever they are, whatever they represent, we’re all equals here, we’re all trying to achieve the common goal. And the good of the player or person comes first,” said Lowry.

mike.mcintyre@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @mikemcintyrewpg