The Chicago Blackhawks placed forward Corey Perry on waivers Tuesday and intend to terminate his contract after determining through an investigation that he engaged in “unacceptable” conduct, the team said in a statement.
“The Chicago Blackhawks have determined that Corey Perry has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments,” the Blackhawks said. “In the event Mr. Perry clears waivers, we intend to terminate his contract effective immediately.”
In a news conference later Tuesday, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson was asked if there was any criminal aspect involved in Perry’s dismissal. “This was a workplace matter,” Davidson said.
Davidson continued, saying that while he can not disclose the details of the team’s investigation, the matter “does not involve any players or their families, and anything that suggests otherwise or anyone who suggests otherwise is wildly inaccurate and, frankly, it’s disgusting. This has been a tough situation. I understand you want answers. It was important that we took all the necessary steps before sharing more.”
Davidson added the NHL and NHLPA were notified, but that it was a team incident and a team decision. When asked if the league was looking into the incident or if it was considered a team matter, NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said via email: “The club has been forthright and transparent with us as to what the relevant circumstances are.”
The Blackhawks listed Perry as a healthy scratch for their games against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Wednesday and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Friday. Davidson wouldn’t say whether the incident occurred in Columbus, but said the team learned about it while in Columbus, which is the “most” he said he could disclose.
Davidson said Saturday that Perry would be away from the team for the foreseeable future and specified the forward’s continued absence was the Blackhawks’ decision rather than Perry’s.
Perry’s agent, Pat Morris, said later Saturday that Perry stepped away from the team to “attend to personal matters.”
Davidson told the team the news of Perry’s dismissal on Tuesday, but the players still don’t know the details of what happened, Davidson said.
This comes less than two years after the Blackhawks and Kyle Beach reached a settlement in Beach’s negligence lawsuit against the team. Beach, a former Blackhawks player, filed his lawsuit in May 2021, alleging he was sexually assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs.
After the settlement was reached, the Blackhawks released a statement saying, “… As for the Blackhawks organization, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensure that, going forward, this team will be a beacon for professionalism, respect and integrity in our community.”
When asked if this situation was particularly disappointing given how vocal the organization has been about building a better workplace culture, Davidson said, “I think more than anything, it reinforces the resolve we have to change the culture and make sure we’re doing the right things. Upholding our values and making sure we continue to build a culture of accountability.”
Perry, 38, has nine points (four goals and five assists) through 16 games with Chicago this season, his first with the team. The Blackhawks acquired him in a trade with the Tampa Bay Lightning in June, and he signed a one-year, $4 million deal with Chicago through the 2023-24 season.
(Photo: Jamie Sabau / USA Today)
