Oilers hire new general manager despite fans’ frustration and disgust!

The Edmtonon Oilers are hiring Stan Bowman as their new general manager, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman. The insider indicates that a press conference will be held later this morning.

Moments later, the Oilers confirmed the news, adding that Bowman was also taking over the role of executive vice president of hockey operations. 

Fans have been quite vocal on who should be the next GM in Edmonton, replacing Ken Holland who left his duties after the past season. Many candidates were mentioned in rumours, though recently Bowman had taken over the chatter, especially when he got the support from Sheldon Kennedy, the co-founder Respect Group.

As you remember, Bowman resigned his position in 2021 after revelations came to light about the cover up involving the sexual assaults of Kyle Beach that went unaddressed by the team. Bowman was recently re-instated by the NHL and is free to seek official employment starting on July 10.

Kennedy indicates in his letter to the public that Bowman is ready to return to the NHL after he got help to learn more about the issues of sexual abuse and the critical role of bystanders in confronting and addressing maltreatment effectively. As a sexual abuse victim in a case that rocked the hockey world in the 1990s, Kennedy has spent the past 20-plus years of his life helping to reshape the grassroots of hockey and make the sport a safer place.

Earlier this month, the NHL lifted its ban on long-time coach Joel Quenneville and executives Bowman and Al MacIsaac, which led to the Oilers showing interest for the former GM.

Fans are currently reacting to Friedman’s announcement with frustration as some cannot get over Bowman’s past and what this could mean for the Oilers’ future. Here are some of the trending reactions: