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Gary Bettman meets with Kyle Beach, offers NHL's assistance

NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman met with Kyle Beach on Saturday to discuss what the league can improve on to ensure the sexual abuse Beach endured at the hands of former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich doesn't happen to future NHLers.

Bettman also offered Beach and his family help with psychological services and other resources the league has at its disposal. The commissioner expressed "sincere regret" over what Beach experienced, per Beach's lawyer Susan Loggans.

Gary Bettman offered the NHL's help with psychological services for Kyle Beach and his family. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)
Gary Bettman offered the NHL's help with psychological services for Kyle Beach and his family. (Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports)

Players' association head Donald Fehr held a separate video meeting with Beach about the league's substance-abuse and behavioural-health program. The NHLPA's executive board has a scheduled call on Monday, with Beach's treatment expected to be a focal point.

Beach courageously came forward as John Doe on Wednesday to speak openly and publicly for the first time after he was sexually abused by Aldrich in 2010. Aldrich was permitted to carry on with his responsibilities as the team's video coach and later celebrate the Stanley Cup championship only weeks after the incident and days after management failed to report the allegations of abuse to human resources or the police.

Since Beach's emotional appearance in the TSN interview with Rick Westhead, the sports world has showered him with praise for his bravery and called for changes to toxic hockey culture.

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