Akim Aliu has a brutal message for the NHL after controversial decision

The National Hockey League caused controversy yesterday when it was announced that disgraced former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville, general manager Stan Bowman, and Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Al MacIsaac have all been reinstated and are free to seek employment within the League.

In the fall of 2021, Both Bowman and Quenneville (who was employed as Florida Panthers head coach) resigned from their respective positions amidst the fallout of revelations by former Blackhawks forward Kyle Beach that he informed them of his sexual abuse at the hands of video coach Brad Aldrich, but that nothing was done. 

The NHL issued the following justification for the reinstatement: 

"While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals (Messrs. Bowman, Maclsaac and Quenneville) 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. Moreover, each has made significant strides in personal improvemen by participating in myriad programs, many of which focused on the imperative of responding in effective and meaningful ways to address alleged acts of abuse. The League expects that they will continue this commitment in any future capacity with the NHL and/or one of our Clubs." 

And while the decision has been met with varied reaction, one notable vocal critic is former NHL forward Akim Aliu. As you may remember, Aliu made headlines in 2020 when he accused Bill Peters, who was at the time the head coach of the Calgary Flames, of having used racial slurs against him when the two were with the AHL's Rockford Ice Hogs a decade earlier. Peters apologized to the Flames for using "offensive language" and promptly resigned his post. 

Aliu vehemently opposes the NHL's decision regarding Quenneville, Bowman and MacIssac, saying that the League's leadership is a "farce": 

"Cover up a sexual assault in order to win a championship, sit out 2 and a half years and you’re welcomed back into the league with open arms," he wrote on social media. "There are honest mistakes and there are malicious acts.

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