Sheldon Kennedy addresses NHL general managers on safety, respect

Sheldon Kennedy never envisioned a moment like this two decades ago. Kim Davis didn't see it coming as recently as 2018.

The pair led a discussion with the NHL's 32 general managers at their annual meeting — the first in-person gathering since March 2020 because of COVID-19 — on Monday as the league continues its attempt to push forward on the issues of safety, inclusion and respect.

"What I have learned over the years is that if we continually try to put one foot in front of the other and do the right thing, good things happen," Kennedy said afterwards.

"It was an amazingly rich and vulnerable conversation for a group of GMs," added Davis, the league's executive vice-president of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs.

"That's a huge starting point for us."

Kennedy, who suited up for parts of eight NHL seasons, has been a voice for victims following his own experience being sexually abused by then-coach Graham James during his time as a junior hockey player.

The 52-year-old's Respect Group organization announced a partnership with the league at December's board of governors meeting at the same Florida resort.

Kennedy said that while hockey has grown on the ice in recent years, away from the rink is where change needs to continue in a sport that's historically been slow to embrace new ideas and voices following a string of high-profile events, including racism and the Chicago NHL team sexual abuse scandal.

"One of the catalysts a lot of times for change to happen is when incidents happen," Kennedy said. "You put your head in the sand, bury yourself and move on or you can acknowledge that, 'You know what? We need to be better in this space."'

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas, Winnipeg Jets counterpart