‘Real consequences:’ Former NHL player Georges Laraque on what needs to happen to make change in the league

TORONTO –

Former NHL participant Georges Laraque has weighed in on the fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks sexual abuse scandal.

In an unique interview with TSN’s Rick Westhead on Wednesday, Kyle Seaside, a former member of the Blackhawks farm system, got here ahead to disclose himself as “John Doe” in a sexual abuse grievance from Might 2010 involving video coach Brad Aldrich.

The fallout from the interview has uncovered failures at virtually each stage {of professional} hockey.

Talking on CTV’s Your Morning Friday Laraque stated that whereas scrutiny and penalties for the coaches and the league for inaction is warranted and crucial, the gamers who mocked Seaside and subjected him to slurs ought to be even be topic to reprisals.

“If there’s penalties for administration, there needs to be for gamers additionally,” Laraque stated, calling the gamers actions “so improper.”

Laraque stated this speaks to the tradition of hockey and the league, which he says has made nice strides in inclusion and variety, however there’s extra to do.

“It’s appalling, it’s disturbing,” Laraque stated of Seaside’s story. “If there are extra athletes on the market who’re struggling in silence… I hope they’ll come ahead and produce this to mild.”

The previous NHL participant stated that it’ll take “actual penalties” for change to occur within the league, citing Florida Panthers Head Coach Joel Quenneville’s resignation.

Quenneville was head coach of the Blackhawks from 2008 to 2019, and Seaside alleges that Quenneville knew concerning the abuse and selected to give attention to the workforce’s Stanley Cup run as an alternative.

For extra of Laraque’s remarks, click on the play button to look at the video.

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With information from CTVNews.ca’s Ben Cousins