NHL vice president of social impact for Hockey Canada: 'There are certain characteristics of strong leadership'

Kim Davis believes there is only one way forward for Hockey Canada.

The NHL’s executive vice president of social impact, growth initiatives and legal has spent a scandal-filled spring, summer and fall about how the sport’s most powerful national organization handled sexual assault allegations. I watched from afar the revelations that followed the revelations revealed in .

And following last week’s developments — Scott Smith stepped down as Hockey Canada’s president and chief executive officer and the entire board of directors — Davis said the struggling federation will move forward and make a real difference. It is said that the door is open to create

“Strong leadership has certain characteristics,” she told The Canadian Press in a recent interview. We are in a moment when the world is demanding that of an organization, and Hockey Canada is no exception.

“Given the opportunity to rethink the board now, I hope that rethinking includes that kind of leadership.”

News Hockey Canada has paid an undisclosed settlement to a woman who filed a $3.55 million lawsuit alleging she was sexually assaulted by eight players, including members of Canada’s World Junior Team, in 2018 has been heavily criticized since its publication. Gala in London, Ontario.

The world of organizations collapsed in weeks and months as scandals piled up. Funds maintained by registration fees from players across the country paid for uninsured liabilities such as sexual assault and abuse claims. was used for

Hockey Canada announced that members of its 2003 World Junior Team are being investigated for allegations of gang sexual assault, just days after announcing an “action plan” to address the issue of safe sport.

Neither claim has been proven in court.

A series of harrowing hearings took place on Parliament Hill, leaving politicians and the general public dumbfounded by the lack of accountability by the organization’s leaders.

Hockey Canada, which plans to elect a new board in December, announced over the weekend that it plans to follow the recommendations set out in an interim report by former Supreme Court Justice Thomas Cromwell, which is conducting an independent governance review.

These recommendations also include a larger and more diverse new board. This is what Davis, who is black, wants.

“We must put young people at the center who are affected by the lack of adult leadership,” she said. “In the future, we hope to have a much more diverse and inclusive board that is transparent and accountable.”

Con Smythe Controversy

The NHL released its first-ever comprehensive diversity and inclusion report to its board this week.

Nearly 84% of league and club employees are white, and less than 14% are black, indigenous or people of color, according to data.

With a goal of up to 25% that second number to reflect fan demographics, Davis was asked if it would be appropriate to continue to name the playoff MVP award after Con Smythe?

The founder of the Toronto Maple Leafs reportedly once said he would pay anyone $10,000 if they could turn black star player Herb Carnegie white.

“We’ve seen this debate and debate time and time again in societies around the world, from flags to monuments,” Davis said of the Conn Smyth Trophy. What you see may be very different from other groups with different lived experiences. [the trophy name change] Occur? Do not know.

“From my own personal perspective, these artifacts and symbols can be painful. At least we should be open [for] Solid discussion and understanding. “

Pursuit of Ovechkin

Alex Ovechkin, who scored twice against Vancouver on Monday, is just 20 short of Gordy Howe’s Mark 801, the second-most all-time NHL goalscorer.

The Washington Capitals sniper has 121 game-winning goals, tied for second all-time with Ted Lindsay.

Wayne Gretzky has 894 career goals.

Bedard blows it out of the gate

Conor Bedard, the presumptive No. 1 pick in the 2023 NHL Draft, has presented some flashy numbers to kick off the Western Hockey League season.

The 17-year-old center won’t turn 18 until after next June’s draft and was left off the scoresheet in the Regina Patz opener, but has since scored nine goals and 11 assists in 10 games. Record and lead the WHL in points.