Ex-Blackhawk Corey Perry Calls Behavior 'Inappropriate And Wrong'

CHICAGO — Two days after he was waived by the Chicago Blackhawks for "inappropriate behavior", Corey Perry apologized, saying that he is embarrassed by his actions and admitting that he struggles with alcohol.

The National Hockey League Players Association said it plans to review the case involving Perry, who was brought in by the Hawks during the offseason to serve as a mentor to rookie Connor Bedard and to be a veteran presence on a youthful Blackhawks team.

The NHLPA has 60 days to file a grievance in the matter once a player’s contract has been terminated. The Blackhawks waived Perry on Tuesday and said they planned to terminate his contract should he clear waivers, which the 19-year-veteran did.

The Blackhawks have released few details about what led to the team parting ways with Perry, the former Hart Trophy winner. But a report published on Wednesday by the Daily Faceoff indicated that Perry was involved in an “alcohol-fueled” incident at an event that reportedly took place in Columbus, Ohio, and that was attended by team personnel and corporate partners.

Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson told reporters on Tuesday that the incident involving Perry did not involve his teammates or their families. He also characterized social media reports to the contrary as "disgusting and untrue."

On Thursday, Perry said his actions have now affected others.

"As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumors," Perry wrote in his apology.
"I am sickened by the impact that this has had on others, and I was to make it clear that in no way did this involve any of my teammates or their families."

Perry called his behavior "inappropriate and wrong" and said he has started to work with professionals in the mental health and substance abuse fields to address his struggles with alcohol.

"I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again," Perry wrote. "I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career."

Davidson characterized the incident as a “workplace incident” rather than anything criminal. He declined to provide more details about the event or when exactly it happened.

Davidson said that the team had alerted both the league and the NHLPA about the incident, which was investigated by the team for six days before the team released a statement on Tuesday announcing its decision.

Davidson told reporters on Tuesday that he had told players about the decision to part ways with Perry, which left players "stunned." Davidson said that he did not provide players with the details of what led to the team’s decision to release Perry.

“It’s not a normal day and it’s not a day that’s easy on any of us,” Blackhawks forward Nick Foligno told reporters after a victory over the Seattle Kraken on Tuesday.

“You can’t control some things, right? And that’s what we had to understand. A lot of that is out of our control – we don’t even know what’s going on. We don’t have a lot of details. … But it’s stunning, to be honest with you, and you’re kind of stunned.

"There’s a lot that goes into it and (Perry) is a guy you care about regardless of what’s gone on. He’s a guy you care about…so it’s difficult on the human aspect of it, but the organization handled it the way it felt (necessary). It’s something they’re going to stand firm on their beliefs on what the culture needs to be here on and off the ice and our job is to make sure we’re doing whatever we can in the (locker) room and on the ice to perform to that level.”