NHL: Adopt and Enforce a Comprehensive Sexual Misconduct and Domestic Violence Policy

To the NHL, its Board of Governors, and the NHL Players’ Association:

I am Mama Stanley—a survivor of sexual assault and domestic violence, a mother, a grandmother, and a longtime hockey fan. I am calling for lasting change.

In July 2025, Alex Formenton, Carter Hart, Dillon Dubé, Michael McLeod, and Cal Foote were acquitted of sexual assault charges. The NHL subsequently restored their eligibility, while stating that their conduct fell “woefully short” of its standards. The Edmonton Oilers signed Formenton in September 2026.

The Oilers’ decision led me to withdraw my support for a team I had loved for decades. I respect that the court made a decision, but I don’t agree with it. I also believe the Oilers and the NHL must answer questions about their standards, their decisions, and their responsibility to create a safer hockey culture.

Fans deserve to know what those standards are, how they are enforced, and whether they apply equally to everyone in hockey. What happens when someone falls short?

We call on the NHL to adopt, publish, and consistently enforce a comprehensive policy prohibiting sexual misconduct and domestic violence, strengthening or replacing existing rules wherever needed. It must cover all players, coaches, managers, executives, owners, and staff.

Talent, money, and influence must never shield anyone from accountability.

We call for:

CLEAR RULES FOR EVERYONE

Prohibit sexual assault, harassment, grooming, coercion, exploitation, sharing intimate images without consent, and domestic and intimate partner violence—including physical violence, threats, and coercive control. Cover misconduct involving coworkers or the public, including outside team facilities and the hockey season.

INDEPENDENT REPORTING AND INVESTIGATIONS

Provide confidential and anonymous reporting options outside team and league management. Require qualified investigators independent of the NHL and its teams, with authority to investigate everyone covered by the policy—including owners and executives as well as players. Establish clear timelines, safeguards against conflicts of interest, and a fair opportunity for everyone involved to provide evidence.

SURVIVOR SUPPORT AND PROTECTION

Provide independent advocacy and counselling for survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Prohibit intimidation, retaliation, career threats, and pressure to stay silent. Clearly explain confidentiality protections and their limits.

MEANINGFUL CONSEQUENCES AND FAIR PROCEDURES

Publish the standard of proof, disciplinary framework, and independent appeal process. Proven violations must carry consequences up to suspension, termination, or exclusion from the league where warranted. Allegations alone must not determine guilt, but assessing a policy breach must not require a criminal conviction.

MANAGEMENT ACCOUNTABILITY

Require personnel to promptly refer reports through the independent process, with privacy safeguards. Establish consequences for concealment, obstruction, retaliation, and knowingly failing to fulfil reporting responsibilities.

RECURRING EDUCATION

Require education developed with sexual and domestic violence prevention specialists and survivor input, covering consent, coercion, power, grooming, domestic and intimate partner violence, bystander intervention, respectful relationships, and reporting duties. Evaluate its effectiveness.

PUBLIC OVERSIGHT AND A CLEAR DEADLINE

Within six months of receiving this petition, publish a plan for developing and implementing the policy, with clear milestones and a firm implementation date. Publish the policy and annual anonymized reports on complaints, outcomes, discipline, and compliance while protecting survivors’ identities. Publicly respond to these demands and explain how progress will be measured.

Survivors of every gender deserve dignity, safety, and support. Those facing allegations deserve a fair process. A credible policy must provide both.

Hockey’s influence reaches children, families, and communities across North America. Changing hockey culture requires action at every level—from minor and junior hockey to college, university, and professional leagues.

We call on hockey leagues, governing bodies, and organizations at every level to adopt, publish, and enforce comprehensive sexual misconduct and domestic violence policies. These protections must cover players and everyone entrusted with their safety, including coaches, staff, volunteers, executives, and owners. Young players need safeguards against grooming and exploitation, safe and independent reporting options, and protection from retaliation.

The NHL must lead by example. Across hockey, protecting people must come before protecting reputations, careers, or winning records.

Sign this petition to demand protections that are written, public, and enforced.

We see you. We hear you. We BeliEVE you.

Mama Stanley, Janice Kruse and All Survivors everywhere!