Carter Hart’s return shows hockey’s redemption machine never stops

Hockey's Culture of Silence: Why Redemption Machine Never Stops

The news that Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Carter Hart will join the team on a professional tryout contract has sparked a familiar debate. While Hart was acquitted of sexual assault charges earlier this year, his return to the NHL is a reminder of hockey's culture of silence and the league's tendency to prioritize business over ethics.

Hart's case is not an isolated incident. The 2018 Team Canada scandal revealed a systemic problem within junior hockey leagues and teams, where hazing, bullying, harassment, and abuse were perpetuated, condoned, or ignored. An independent review panel found that the Canadian Hockey League had a "code of silence" when it came to reporting misconduct, and the league paid out $2.9 million in settlements in 2022.

Similarly, the case of former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach, who alleged he was sexually assaulted by team video coach Brad Aldrich, highlighted the problem of group loyalty outweighing empathy in hockey culture. Despite Beach's allegations, nothing happened until after the Blackhawks won the Cup, and Aldrich was only disciplined three weeks later.

The pattern of redemption without reckoning is all too familiar in hockey. Bowman, who stepped down as Chicago Blackhawks general manager but was hired by the Edmonton Oilers three years later, remains a prominent figure in the sport. Joel Quenneville, the head coach of the Anaheim Ducks, returned to coaching despite being involved in the Aldrich scandal.

While the courts have cleared Hart and other accused players, their acquittal does not necessarily mean they are ethically fit for roles within hockey. The moral question is left up to fans, who must sort out the ethics of the sport or engage in mental gymnastics to separate the player from the person.

In reality, hockey's silence on these issues speaks louder than any statement about values and standards. The league prioritizes winning and financial interests over accountability and justice, leaving its supporters to grapple with the consequences of a culture that protects itself more than its players.

Hart's return is not just a business decision but also a reflection of the sport's values – or lack thereof. As long as hockey continues to prioritize redemption over reckoning, fans will be left wondering whether the game truly has changed for better or worse.

Ugh, my heart is literally shattered thinking about all these innocent people who were hazed, bullied and abused in hockey and still managed to come out unscathed . I mean, what's the point of even having a redemption machine if it just perpetuates the same toxic culture?! It's like they're more concerned with winning and making money than with taking responsibility for their actions.

And can we talk about how ridiculous it is that fans are expected to do mental gymnastics to separate the player from the person? I'm not buying it! If you've done something wrong, own up to it and face the consequences. Don't try to sweep it under the rug and come back a few years later with a "redemption story". It's not that hard.

I love how they're always talking about values and standards, but it seems like those are just empty words on paper . If the league really cared, they'd be holding players accountable for their actions instead of letting them slide through with a slap on the wrist. And don't even get me started on Bowman and Quenneville being able to come back from their scandals .

It's like, what is this sport even supposed to represent?! Is it about teamwork? Sportsmanship? Fairness? Or is it just about winning at all costs?! I need some answers because right now, I'm feeling super disillusioned with the state of hockey.

I'm so done with the NHL's silence on these serious issues . I mean, Carter Hart joining the Golden Knights on a tryout contract after being acquitted of sexual assault charges is just another example of how the league prioritizes winning over ethics. It's like they're trying to sweep everything under the rug and pretend it never happened .

And don't even get me started on the culture of silence that exists in hockey . It's not just about individual players, it's a systemic problem that needs to be addressed. The fact that teams and leagues are more concerned with protecting their own interests than with holding people accountable for their actions is just not right .

I wish fans could have some faith in the league's ability to prioritize values like accountability and justice over winning and financial interests . But until then, we'll just be left wondering if the game has really changed for better or worse .

I'm so done with how hockey is handling these situations . It's like they're more worried about saving face than doing what's right. I get it, winning and money are important, but at what cost? The culture of silence is killing me... or should I say, it's not silencing anyone because everyone already knows the truth . Carter Hart may have gotten off scot-free, but his return only perpetuates the problem. When will hockey take accountability for its own issues instead of just sweeping them under the rug?

I'm low-key disappointed in how hockey is handling these situations . I mean, Carter Hart gets a second chance despite being acquitted of some pretty serious allegations? It's like the league is just trying to sweep it under the rug. And what about all the other players who aren't getting the same treatment? The culture of silence is real, and until there are real consequences for these guys, fans will be left wondering if they're really committed to change.

It's also wild that the league is more concerned with protecting its own interests than actually holding people accountable. I mean, Joel Quenneville gets to come back and coach despite being involved in a major scandal? That just feels like a cop-out to me . The fans deserve better than mental gymnastics just to sort out what's right and wrong.

I'm not asking for much – just some real accountability and consequences for when people do these kinds of things. Until then, I'll be skeptical of all the empty talk about "values" and "standards". Can we please just have a sport that prioritizes people over profits?

I'm so done with this culture of silence in hockey . Like, what even is the point of having a team if you're just gonna sweep stuff under the rug? It's not like they're actually learning from their mistakes or anything. They just keep on hiring these guys and expecting everyone to forget about it. Newsflash: we don't forget! We remember and we care about the victims. And yeah, I get that the courts have cleared Hart, but what does that even mean? That he's been deemed not guilty by a jury of his peers... but is he truly innocent?

And can we talk about how the league just wants to win at all costs? They're so focused on being the best team in the world that they don't care about the human cost. It's like, what about the players who are traumatized by these experiences? What about their well-being and mental health? The NHL is more concerned with its bottom line than with creating a safe and respectful environment for its athletes.

OMG, this reminds me of that one time when my fave celeb was accused of something shady and suddenly became a saint ... but seriously, it's getting old. The NHL needs to get its priorities straight - all about the benjamins, not about making sure players are accountable for their actions . I mean, can't we have some real change here? Carter Hart joining the team without any real consequences for his past is just so...underwhelming . The culture of silence in hockey is everything and more, it's like they're trying to sweep all these issues under the rug . Fans deserve better than mental gymnastics to separate player from person - it's time for some real talk !

omg can't believe hockey still has this toxic culture of silence they keep letting these dudes off scot-free just because they're talented on the ice but newsflash: being a pro athlete doesn't give you a free pass to abuse people! carters case is just another example, like what even is going on with the NHL? can't they see that this stuff is still out in the open? and btw, how many more times do we have to watch teams sweep abuse under the rug before someone actually takes responsibility?

can you believe what's going on in the NHL? they're all about winning and makin' that dough, but at what cost?! it's like they're more worried about their brand than doin' what's right. Carter Hart gettin' a second chance after bein' acquitted of sexual assault charges is just the tip of the iceberg... there are so many other players who've been accused and let off the hook too easy . it's like hockey's got this culture of silence where everyone's afraid to speak up or report misconduct, instead of just sweepin' it under the rug . and don't even get me started on how some of these coaches and GMs just keep on comin' back after they've done somethin' wrong . it's time for the NHL to take a hard look at itself and figure out whether all this redemptive nonsense is really doin' anyone any good .

I'm really disappointed in how hockey handles these kinds of situations . It seems like they're more worried about keeping their reputation intact than actually doing what's right. I mean, Carter Hart gets acquitted and then just goes back to playing? That doesn't feel right at all . And it's not just him, there are so many other cases where guys have been accused of some pretty serious stuff and nothing ever happens . It's like the league is saying "let's just move on and focus on winning" instead of actually addressing the problems. And that's really sad because I think hockey should be a sport that values its players, not just their wins

I'm so done with this league's BS ️... think they're above the law just 'cause they can afford a good lawyer and a PR team that keeps them clean . Carter Hart, a guy who was acquitted of serious allegations, gets another shot because the NHL doesn't want to rock the boat or lose some of their "stars" . Newsflash: it's not about redemption, it's about accountability! And what's even more pathetic is how they just keep glossing over these incidents and pretending like everything is hunky dory .

And don't even get me started on the culture of silence ... I mean, who needs that kind of toxicity in a sport that should be all about skill, hard work, and sportsmanship? It's like they're more concerned with winning than doing what's right. And fans are just expected to sit back, watch, and pretend like none of this is happening ... but I'm not buying it. This league needs a serious shake-up if we want to restore some dignity to the sport .

I'm still fuming about this one ... I mean, what's up with these guys? Hart gets acquitted of assault charges and suddenly he's back on the ice like nothing happened . It's not just him, though - it's a whole culture problem. Junior hockey leagues, pro teams, everyone's got some dirty secret to hide . The NHL's all about winning, but at what cost? They're more worried about their brand and their fans than doing the right thing. I remember watching games back in '07-08 and it was always about the team first - now it's just about who can score the most goals . It's just not cool, you know?

The NHL's propensity for silence around these issues is genuinely perplexing . It's not just about Hart's case, but also the systemic problems that have been perpetuated within junior hockey leagues and teams. The fact that players like Bowman and Quenneville continue to be employed despite being embroiled in scandals speaks volumes about the league's priorities. Winning and financial interests always seem to take precedence over accountability and justice . As a fan, it's disheartening to feel like you're expected to mentally compartmentalize your emotions and separate the player from their actions . The question remains: will hockey ever truly confront its ethics?