The biggest NHL scandals have unfolded off the ice. From abuse cases and concussion lawsuits to ownership collapses, fraud, and relocation chaos.
These stories left teams dealing with criminal investigations, high-profile resignations, and lawsuits.
Some incidents forced emergency leadership changes, while others revealed deeper cultural issues that had been ignored for years.
This is our breakdown of the biggest NHL scandals and the impact they had across the sport.
Chicago Blackhawks 2010 sexual abuse scandal
The Blackhawks scandal surfaced when former player Kyle Beach reported that video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him during the 2010 playoffs.
Senior leaders were informed but chose to delay action while the team pursued the Stanley Cup.
An independent investigation confirmed the cover-up, leading to the resignation of GM Stan Bowman, the removal of multiple staff members, and a two-million-dollar fine.
Aldrich later faced separate charges, and the case reshaped how teams handle abuse allegations after years of silence around Beach’s experience.
Concussion and CTE lawsuits against the NHL
Dozens of former players took legal action against the NHL over long-term brain injuries. They argued the league failed to protect them or warn them about the risks of head trauma.
The case grew as more ex-players described memory loss, depression, and early cognitive decline linked to their playing careers.
The league denied wrongdoing throughout the process but eventually reached a settlement that offered medical screenings and limited financial support without admitting liability.
The lawsuits pushed concussion protocol into the spotlight and forced the NHL to introduce stricter in-game assessments and return-to-play rules.
Mitchell Miller signing controversy
The Boston Bruins signed Mitchell Miller despite years of documented racist bullying against a disabled classmate during his teens.
The decision sparked immediate backlash from fans, players, and league officials who questioned why the team moved ahead despite knowing his history.
Miller’s signing collapsed within days as current players made clear they were uncomfortable with the move. The NHL also stated he was not eligible to play.
The Bruins cut ties and admitted they failed in their vetting process. The fallout forced internal reviews.
Bill Peters racial abuse allegations
Bill Peters resigned from the Calgary Flames after former players revealed he used racial slurs during his time coaching in the AHL.
The allegations surfaced on social media and were quickly supported by additional accounts describing abusive behaviour and aggressive conduct toward players.
The Flames placed Peters under investigation within hours as more details emerged. He did not coach again while the review continued.
Peters stepped down soon after, and the team acknowledged serious failings in how the situation had been handled.
The incident increased scrutiny on coaching behaviour league-wide and highlighted long-ignored issues around racial discrimination in hockey.
Mike Babcock phone photo investigation
Mike Babcock’s return to coaching ended before it began when players reported he asked to see personal photos on their phones.
The accounts described uncomfortable meetings in which players felt pressured to share private images while discussing trust and team culture.
The NHLPA opened an investigation as several players confirmed similar experiences. The Blue Jackets removed Babcock from all team activities while the review continued.
Babcock resigned days later without coaching a single game.
Slava Voynov domestic violence case
Slava Voynov was arrested after a domestic violence incident that left his partner with serious injuries.
The Los Angeles Kings suspended him immediately as the legal case developed, and the NHL placed him on indefinite suspension soon after.
Voynov later pleaded no contest and served jail time before leaving the United States due to immigration issues. The Kings terminated his contract while the league maintained its ban.
The case became one of the most widely reported criminal incidents involving an active NHL player.
John Spano Islanders ownership fraud
John Spano briefly became the face of the New York Islanders after claiming he had the wealth to buy the team in 1996.
It later emerged that Spano had fabricated almost every part of his financial profile, including forged bank documents and fake letters of credit.
His first major payment collapsed almost immediately, with bounced transfers, missing funds, and fake bank letters exposing the scale of the deception.
He later pleaded guilty to multiple counts of bank and wire fraud and received a 71-month prison sentence in 1999.
Further convictions in 2006 and 2015 brought additional terms, leaving him with more than $12 million in restitution and 15 years of prison time.
Ottawa Senators and Eugene Melnyk turmoil
Eugene Melnyk’s tenure as owner of the Ottawa Senators was marked by years of instability, stalled arena deals, and public disputes with players and local officials.
The relationship between Melnyk and the city deteriorated as plans for a new downtown arena collapsed amid lawsuits and accusations of bad-faith negotiations.
Internal tension also grew as star players departed, some citing concerns about the organisation’s direction and culture.
The front office faced repeated criticism for mismanagement and mixed messaging.
After Melnyk died in 2022, the franchise was sold following a competitive bidding process.
Arizona Coyotes relocation and arena chaos
The Arizona Coyotes spent years fighting bankruptcy, ownership disputes, and political battles over arena funding.
Their long search for stability collapsed again when the team was forced out of Gila River Arena after the city of Glendale ended the lease.
The Coyotes moved into a 5,000-seat college rink at Arizona State University, drawing widespread criticism and renewed questions about the franchise’s long-term future.
Attempts to secure a permanent home in Tempe later failed following a public vote. The team operated on short-term agreements while the league explored alternatives.
Don Cherry firing from Hockey Night in Canada
Don Cherry’s decades-long run on Hockey Night in Canada ended after he used a televised segment to criticize immigrants during a Remembrance Day broadcast.
Sportsnet removed Cherry from the air within twenty-four hours as pressure grew for a response. He did not return to the network and later defended his remarks in interviews.
The fallout split viewers but left the broadcaster with little room to manoeuvre. Cherry’s departure closed one of the longest-running chapters in Canadian sports television.
