As part of the League's ongoing efforts, the Board today fully supported an initiative to strengthen existing programs and/or establish new resources for all individuals associated with the NHL that may be dealing with a range of personal life challenges and issues in the areas of physical, mental and emotional health and well-being. The League will organize existing private resources (e.g., Employee Assistance Programs, SABH, etc.) available to particular stakeholder groups and assess and fill gaps in services.
As well, the League intends to partner with Respect Group, an anti-harassment organization co-founded by former NHL Player Sheldon Kennedy. Founded in 2004 by Kennedy and Wayne McNeil, Respect Group has provided programming and training to sports organizations, schools, and workplaces in an effort to eliminate and prevent bullying, abuse, harassment and discrimination (BAHD) with a goal to inspire a global culture of respect. The NHL's ongoing journey to support safe, inclusive and respectful workplaces has included learning experiences and trainings over the years. This partnership with Respect Group is an extension of those efforts and will endeavor to establish a consistent, uniform baseline of goal training that will be mandatory for all NHL personnel, including ownership, towards positive behaviors and shifting hockey culture at all levels of the game.
"The partnership with Respect Group is an extension of the League's strategy to lift hockey culture by investing in learning, prevention, reporting and workforce development, placing a greater emphasis on accountability for organizations and leaders of this game," Davis said.
"We at Respect Group have full confidence in Kim Davis and her team and in the leadership and support Commissioner Bettman is providing," Kennedy said. "I believe the League has a very comprehensive strategy to continue to address all forms of maltreatment and we are grateful to be a part of the culture change as it continues to unfold."
In the past year, despite the difficulties in operating during a pandemic, all League staff and on-ice Officials have undergone focused Diversity & Inclusion training sessions led by White Men as Full Diversity Partners (WMFDP). NHL Staff participated in 10 hours of immersive training, and at their 2021 training camp, NHL Officials participated in training sessions which also included leadership from four former NHL Players - Anson Carter, Mark Fraser, Georges Laraque and Al Montoya - and current PWHPA player Brigette Lacquette. The NHL Officials training session served as a pilot program and is currently being refined with subject matter experts. It is the League's intention to make this training available to all NHL Players beginning next season.