Stan Bowman has been hired as the new general manager and executive vice president of hockey operations for the Edmonton Oilers. Here are the key details.

The Oilers confirmed the hiring on Wednesday, July 24, 2024. Bowman replaces former GM Ken Holland, whose contract was not extended. This marks Bowman’s return to the NHL after resigning as GM of the Chicago Blackhawks in October 2021 following an investigation into the team’s mishandling of sexual assault allegations.

In case the Oilers think the fear of hiring Stan Bowman as GM has blown over, here is Wayne Gretzky saying "I'm sitting here thinking, as a parent 'My son is 18 years old and he's going to maybe be drafted by that team…I want to know my 18-yr-old son is going to be protected." pic.twitter.com/g2DywOWRcI

— RXK KNOBLAUCH (@THEOILLUMINATI) July 3, 2024

Bowman was reinstated by the NHL on July 1, 2024, after being banned for his role in the Blackhawks scandal. He has extensive experience, having spent 20 seasons with the Blackhawks, including 12 as GM, winning three Stanley Cups.

A boy in high school was sexually assaulted because Stan Bowman is a coward. Of all the hockey executives out there, the Edmonton oilers chose him to lead their team.

— phil (@PartPhil) July 24, 2024

Jeff Jackson, Oilers CEO of hockey operations, cited Bowman’s experience and the “important work he has done in his time away from the game” as reasons for the hire. The hiring has been controversial due to Bowman’s past, but he has acknowledged his mistakes and expressed remorse.

Jeff Jackson and the Oilers just couldn’t RESIST hiring a guy who not only covered up SA, but also his final big move was trading a haul for Seth Jones and giving him a 8×9.5M. Too great of a candidate to pass up. 🖕

— Mike Bartner (@MikeBartner) July 24, 2024

New Oilers GM Stan Bowman said he has built a positive relationship with Kyle Beach over the past year.
Bowman was asked today if he has contacted "John Doe 2," the high-school player sexually assaulted by Brad Aldrich after he left the Blackhawks organization in 2010.
Bowman…

— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) July 24, 2024

Sheldon Kennedy, a former player and advocate for abuse prevention, has endorsed Bowman’s efforts to learn and improve. Bowman stated he had a recent 15-minute conversation with Kyle Beach, the player at the center of the Blackhawks scandal, describing it as “encouraging”.

Jeff Jackson going private last night on Twitter is such a coward move. You want to hire Bowman? Fucking own everything that comes with that, including the fan response. Don't like it? Then don't hire him. What a joke.

— Austin Hockey (@AHockey1993) July 24, 2024

I’ll say this: Some time has passed and I think a lot of details regarding the Chicago Blackhawks scandal have been forgotten. This is the reading of the Jenner & Block report that detailed how this all happened. https://t.co/45u1Bul3mV

— Steve “Dangle” Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) July 24, 2024

The Oilers organization believes Bowman’s experience and recent personal growth make him a suitable candidate for the role, despite the controversy surrounding his past.

If Stan wasn’t the son of an all time hockey great, he doesn’t get this job, let alone a second chance.