NHL commissioner says Rocky Wirtz ‘had a moment’ during his town hall outburst, added Blackhawks are ‘committed to doing the right things’
CHICAGO — NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman was ready to talk about Chicago Blackhawks Chairman Rocky Wirtz, whose emotional outburst during a town hall Wednesday over questions about former Hawks prospect and alleged sexual assault victim Kyle Beach drew international attention and criticism.
But first Bettman asked to make a statement.
“I think it’s clear that what happened at the town hall was an emotional outburst — that’s the word the media has been using most — and I think it’s fair,” Bettman said Friday during a 10-minute phone interview with the Chicago Tribune. “It’s clear that this whole situation has been weighing on the Blackhawks and on Rocky in particular, and when he had a chance to reflect on what he said, he apologized because, frankly — and this is the ironic part — the franchise is doing the work.
“(Hawks CEO) Danny (Wirtz) and (president of business operations) Jaime (Faulkner) are doing the things that need to be done. They’ve been empowered by Rocky to do it.”
Those things that need
