NHL commissioner Gary Bettman isn't happy with Hockey Canada

GANDER, N.L. — You can add NHL commissioner Gary Bettman’s name to the list of people unhappy with Hockey Canada’s mishandling of allegations of gang rapes involving players from the 2018 and 2003 junior teams that competed at the world championships and its recent response to calls for change at the top level of the organization.

“I think the response from Hockey Canada certainly needs work,” Bettman said during an informal media scrum with a handful of reporters before Thursday night’s Kraft Hockeyville game between the Canadiens and Ottawa Senators. “I’m not sure I fully understand why they’re responding the way they are.

“We currently don’t have any agreement with Hockey Canada and we’re going to have to see how this all turns out,” Bettman added. “But, obviously, there are many, many expressions of concern about how they’ve dealt with this.”

Hockey Canada continues its vigorous defence of leadership amid criticism over the handling of alleged sexual assaults and the way money was paid out in lawsuits.

When asked directly about the calls for change at the leadership level of Hockey Canada, Bettman said: “We don’t run Hockey Canada and I think it would be inappropriate for me to tell Hockey Canada how to do its business. But as somebody in the hockey world I think it’s incumbent on us to set a good example and we try to do that with all of the programs that we have and all of the efforts we’ve made and all of the money that we invest at all levels of hockey. But I’m obviously — like many others — very disappointed at the current state of affairs.”

The NHL is conducting its own investigation into Hockey Canada affair, but wouldn’t speculate on what might happen to former junior players who could have been involved in the alleged sexual assaults that are now playing in the NHL.

“I don’t have them report to me on what they’re finding as the investigation goes on,” Bettman said. “I am waiting for the final report and I am told we are much closer to the end of the investigation than the beginning. But it has taken time. Obviously, the allegations are horrific and those allegations have to be addressed and we will respond once the investigation is done.

“Let me read the report, understand exactly what they found and then I will respond appropriately because I don’t want anybody to feel that this has been pre-judged one way or the other.”

Here’s more of what Bettman had to say during his scrum, which lasted almost 15 minutes.

On reports he recommended that Canadiens owner/president Geoff Molson hire Jeff Gorton as executive vice-president of hockey operations:

“I think Jeff Gorton’s a terrific person, a very talented executive. And the conversations I do and don’t have with clubs aren’t things I talk about.”

On the job Gorton has done since taking over last November after GM Marc Bergevin was fired:

“He and (new GM Kent Hughes) have done a great job. I think Jeff really focused on the changes that this franchise needed to be more competitive and I think they’ve been pushing all the right buttons. And I think Geoff Molson had the vision to try something a little bit different that seems to be working extraordinarily well.”

What’s he most excited about for the upcoming season?

“I’m excited that we’re back in a normal way on time, building’s full. Coming into Canada tonight not having to answer 100 questions about COVID on the app. Listen, I have no complaints about anything that was done. I think the Canadian government did a great job and did what was appropriate. But if you go back over the last two-and-a-half years we had to be agile and flexible. Players were great, the players’ association was great. The communities in which we play supported us. But to be able to focus on the game … and coming off of what was a spectacular season last season. When you look at what took place on the ice through the Stanley Cup final we had a really good, competitive season. Offence dominated like we hadn’t seen in decades. So I’m looking forward to another great season.”

What’s his biggest concern heading into the new season?

“I worry about everything.”

On the Kraft Hockeyville games, with the Canadiens playing the Senators again Friday night in Bouctouche, N.B.

“It really is a great event. It really connects us with communities at the grass-roots level like no other program in any sport. For the people who get to attend this game in their home rink, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and our players love playing in these events because they see the fan reaction. The players have been great on both teams. (Senators GM) Pierre Dorion just told me Brady Tkachuk was signing autographs outside for 45 minutes. It’s really terrific. Particularly recently with Hurricane Fiona and the difficulties it’s posed — particularly on the southwest coast of Newfoundland — to bring something that is special, unique and gives people an opportunity to celebrate and be a little distracted is important for us and so we’re thrilled to be here.”

On what Gander means to him as an American after what the town did following the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the U.S. when 38 planes carrying approximately 7,000 passengers were ordered to land unexpectedly at tiny Gander International Airport. Residents here took in stranded travellers and housed and fed them during the week following the attacks:

“It means a lot. I’m also a native New Yorker. I made everybody who flew up with me make sure they had seen (the documentary) Come From Away before we came. The woman at the FBO when we landed was actually here 20 years ago and I was talking to her when we landed about that experience. What Gander as a community did for all the 6,000-plus people on the planes that landed here. I actually said to the woman at the FBO: ‘Where’d you put all the planes?’ She was explaining to me, but I said: ‘How did you keep the runway clear?’ She goes: ‘The last plane in had to be the first plane out.’ Everybody went out in inverse order.

“This is a very special place. I’ve seen (the Broadway musical) Come From Away at least twice. There’s a very special connection between the aftermath of 9/11 and what the people In Gander did. It’s one of the great human stories about what’s good when people come together.”

On the ice at the Steele Community Centre Arena in Gander that only seats 1,100 people and played host to the Kraft Hockeyville game.

“First of all, we only play in rinks where we’re sure that our players can be comfortable and safe. Hockey Operations supervises making sure the facility’s right. Colie Campbell’s here tonight to make sure and to the extent of money has to be invested in rinks (for these games) — and part of Kraft Hockeyville is that we put $250,000 into a rink and we also donate another $10,000 in equjpment, so this is really an opportunity for the local community to really get a special result from all of their efforts from showing how passionate they are about the game, which is really what the Hockeyville competition is all about.

“This rink looks terrific. It really does.”

On the tiny 5,000-seat university arena that the Arizona Coyotes are slated to play in the next three seasons:

“First of all, the rink in Arizona is exponentially larger than this one. It’s a temporary situation pending a new building. In fact, I remember going to a game for the Ottawa Senators when they were playing in a facility that the (junior) Ottawa 67s use. So as long as you’re dealing with a temporary situation — and our hope is that the new building in Tempe comes out of the ground in rather short order. The Tempe council approved moving forward to ratify and reach an agreement in June and hopefully before the end of the calendar year there will be more progress. It’s temporary. And, by the way, they’re going to do great in that little facility. In fact, they’re going to do better than they did in Glendale.”

Is he concerned about inflation and the impact it could have on the NHL?

“I’m old enough to remember when an 8- or 9-per-cent mortgage was a good mortgage and we’re not even back to that yet. I even bought a house once during one of the recessions where mortgage rates were 18 per cent. Yes, I’m very concerned about inflation because of the impact that it has on people’s lives. If you’re watching your budget, inflation really hurts. But from our standpoint, I don’t think the business has ever been stronger. And so whether it’s the game on the ice, or ticket sales, or TV ratings, or business partners and supporting sponsors, we’re coming off the strongest season from a business standpoint that we’ve ever had to match the artistry that was shown on the ice.”

scowan@postmedia.com

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