NEWSLETTER
I would like to just talk about hockey. But that’s not how the world works sometimes.
• On Friday morning, we saw the first team-affiliated original reporting on the lawsuits and allegations against the Chicago Blackhawks and former video coach Brad Aldrich. After reports from Dave McKinney and Tony Arnold of WBEZ, and from Rick Westhead of TSN, Katie Strang, Scott Powers, and Mark Lazerus filed a report on the situations surrounding Aldrich and the Blackhawks.
Former Blackhawks player: ‘Every guy on the team knew’ about video coach’s alleged sexual assault, reporting by @KatieJStrang, @MarkLazerus and me. https://t.co/wkUk4WTAkq
— Scott Powers (@ByScottPowers) June 25, 2021
• In the report from the trio, former players (one being Nick Boynton) say that every player on the team knew about the alleged conduct by Aldrich and that they believed team skills coach Paul Vincent had made members of the front office aware of the incidents. But nothing came of it.
• With every passing day where we find out more information, the more I am convinced that every member of the organization that had knowledge of the conduct by Aldrich, and that did nothing about it, should face harsh repercussions. If those members of the front office were made aware of the incidents by Vincent, Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac, and they did nothing about it, they should no longer be with the club moving forward. Plain and simple, they should be gone.
• And I’m not the only one who believes that. Former Blackhawk and member of the 2010 Stanley Cup team Brent Sopel has chimed in on Twitter…
The front office staff should be in jail. The NHL is showing there true colours. Gary doesn’t care about anyone but himself. This is absolutely disgusting that the NHL is doing nothing
— Brent Sopel (@brent_sopel) June 25, 2021
• We’ll continue to bring you the developments and information on these lawsuits and allegations as things progress.
• Last night in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, we got a Game Six matchup between the Montreal Canadiens and Vegas Golden Knights that went into overtime. It wouldn’t last long in overtime though…
And here it is, the goal that sends the @CanadiensMTL to the #StanleyCup Final.
Bravo, Artturi Lehkonen (@arsilehkonen)! pic.twitter.com/LfHHQCdfgz
— NHL (@NHL) June 25, 2021
• That’s back-to-back nights with overtime games that took a combined two and a half minutes to finish. C’mon, where’s the drama in that?
• Artturi Lehkonen sends the Canadiens to the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1993, which is also the last time a Canadian team has won the Stanley Cup.
• I’d say the excitement in Montreal was top-notch.
#GoHabsGo Marc Bergevin’s reaction is awesome. #StanleyCup pic.twitter.com/s4gTwwmIuW
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) June 25, 2021
• How can you fall asleep when your Dad is playing overtime hockey?! Ah, I’ll give her a pass, it was late.
Wake up Millie, dada is going to the finals!!!! https://t.co/uZuMIhi0Zt
— Angela Price (@ByAngelaPrice) June 25, 2021
• Carey Price and Shea Weber will be heading to their first Stanley Cup Final in their careers. Good for them.
https://twitter.com/Sportsnet/status/1408263598678450181?s=20
• Also heading to the Stanley Cup Final are Former Blackhawks Phillip Danault and Erik Gustafsson.
4 more to go! LFG! pic.twitter.com/tn5maXCge9
— Erik Gustafsson (@ErkanGustafsson) June 25, 2021
• Hey, good for the Gus Bus.
• To say that the Canadiens run to the Final has been nothing short of incredible would be an understatement.
The Canadiens are in the Stanley Cup Final after entering with the worst record of any playoff team.
Montreal is the 3rd team in the Expansion era (since 1968) to reach the Cup Final with the worst record in the playoff field. They join the 2017 Predators & 2010 Flyers. pic.twitter.com/x1lGFZ67aR
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 25, 2021
• And hey, I can’t leave without mentioning how GD good Cole Caufield is at hockey.
this was nasty by Cole Caufield pic.twitter.com/nBjPcMBGEA
— Dimitri Filipovic (@DimFilipovic) June 25, 2021
• Postgame pizza is not just for the little leaguers, either…
https://twitter.com/timandfriends/status/1408269014065979393?s=20
• Yeah, I’ll be pulling for the Canadiens in the Final.
• Tonight, we’ll have the New York Islanders or the Tampa Bay Lightning join the Canadiens in the Final as Game Seven goes down in Tampa tonight at 7:00 p.m. CT. The Islanders are hoping to exact revenge against the Lightning, who eliminated them from the Eastern Conference Finals last year, while the Lightning look to continue their defense of their Stanley Cup Championships last year.
• There will be more than just a trip to the Final on the line tonight…
The Lightning and Islanders will be playing for home ice advantage in the Stanley Cup Final tomorrow. Also, the Prince of Wales Trophy.
— Dan Rosen (@drosennhl) June 25, 2021
• A couple of birthdays in Blackhawks land today. First, prospect Landon Slaggert turns 19-years-old today!
Happy Birthday, @slaggs_9! 🎉#GoIrish pic.twitter.com/pNQ3BdE0pn
— Notre Dame Hockey (@NDHockey) June 25, 2021
• And former one-time Blackhawks Captain Doug Gilmour turns 58 today!
Happy 58th Birthday to former Captain Doug Gilmour!#Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/ojceLSLuke
— Bleacher Nation Blackhawks (@BN_Blackhawks) June 25, 2021
• Also happening today, under the black cloud hanging over the organization, the Blackhawks made their first acknowledgment of Pride Month.
Getting ready for this weekend’s Pride celebration in Chicago, via @BMOHarrisBank! pic.twitter.com/MRBZCvzDVO
— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) June 25, 2021
• Their timing couldn’t be more on brand.
• That will do it for today. Enjoy your Friday.
