NHL's Davis hopes next Hockey Canada board is 'diverse and inclusive'

Kim Davis sees only one path forward for Hockey Canada.

The NHL's executive vice-president of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs watched from afar as revelation after damning revelation emerged throughout a scandal-filled spring, summer and fall over how the sport's most powerful national organization handled sexual assault allegations.

And following last week's developments — Scott Smith left Hockey Canada as president and CEO, while the entire board of directors stepped down — Davis says the door is open for the embattled federation to push forward and make a real difference.

"There are certain hallmarks of strong leadership," she told The Canadian Press in a recent interview. "Leading from the front, owning the problems that need to be solved, being transparent and accountable. We're at a moment where the world is demanding that of organizations. Hockey Canada should be no different.

"Now that there's an opportunity to reimagine the board, I'm hoping that reimagining will include that kind of leadership."

Hockey Canada has received blistering criticism since May when news broke that an undisclosed settlement had been paid to a woman who alleged in a $3.55-million lawsuit she was sexually assaulted in 2018 by eight players — including members of the country's world junior team — following a gala in London, Ont.

The organization's world came crashing down in the weeks and months that followed as the scandals piled up, including that a fund maintained by registration fees from players across the country had been used to pay out uninsured liabilities, including sexual assault and abuse claims.

Hockey Canada then announced days after the release of an "action plan" to address safe sport issues that