Over the last few days, more rumors regarding the Hockey Canada sexual assault trial made their way into the blogosphere.
The trial may be coming to an end. The case may be thrown out. Carter Hart may be back on the market as an unrestricted free agent. Teams may be interested. Could he head back to the KHL? All of these scenarios have been considered, explored, and full of subtext.
Goalies have to have short memories. This way they can shake off a bad game and start anew when the next game rolls around. Sadly, that mentality can extend off the ice as well, especially when it benefits the team.
The Flyers need a goalie. Carter Hart was a good goalie. 1+1=2. It is that simple.
While there is no benefit to discussing the details of the case and what happens next, one thing is clear: Carter Hart should never be associated with the Philadelphia Flyers again.
Danny Briere and the organization are working on building a good culture and bringing in people to help. Keith Jones has great relationships around the league. Rick Tocchet may help attract talent to the team. The goal is to not only make Flyers a more attractive place to be, but to also make it a happier place. Bringing Hart back into the fold would instantly destroy that good will.
The one thing that is as black and white as that simple math equation is that, should alleged accusations and details of this event be true, the perpetrators need to be brought to justice. If the allegations are false, the defendants will be damaged goods. No matter what, someone comes out of this carrying the weight of it on their shoulders forever.
That should be the end of the discussion.
The Chicago Blackhawks faced a sexual assault scandal and Joel Quenneville, among others, were pushed out of hockey. Less than four years later, the Anaheim Ducks hired him as their new head coach.
The immediate reactions were those of disappointment, and anger. Then, the news cycle moved on and so did short memories. If anyone is still calling for his firing, it’s a small minority.
It is possible this could eventually happen to Carter Hart and the other defendants in the trial, regardless of the outcome. The Flyers cannot cash in on that. Guilty or not, it sets a bad precedent and can destroy the culture. It puts an emphasis on points over people and states that the organization, on some level, condones the behavior.