In July of this year, Austin Watson of the Nashville Predators, was cited for domestic assault. As reported on these pages, Watson pleased no contest to the charges and the National Hockey League initiated an investigation to get their arms around the issue and make an effort to do what most leagues fail to do, a timely response with an outcome.
That outcome came as the NHL announced that Watson has been suspended for all preseason and the first 27 games of the 2018-19 regular season, without pay, for unacceptable off-ice conduct.
With the social pressures requiring a response to this and similar offensive actions by athletes and others, the NHL made their statement.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman levied the suspension under Rule 18-A of the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The Commissioner’s ruling came following an investigation by the League and an in-person hearing in New York on Friday, Sept. 7. The investigation and hearing were conducted, pursuant to the CBA, to determine the relevant facts and circumstances relating to a June 16, 2018, incident involving Austin Watson and his domestic partner.
“I have determined that Nashville Player Austin Watson engaged in a physical confrontation with his domestic partner,” NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said. “Today’s ruling, while tailored to the specific facts of this case and the individuals involved, is necessary and consistent with the NHL’s strongly held view that it cannot and will not tolerate this and similar types of conduct.”
The message should be clear, the NHL will tolerate such actions and the franchises, players and NHLPA need to get their responses in place and develop prevention, intervention, education, and awareness programs started and in place.
With NHL press releasematerials
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