NHLPA votes in favor of investigating union's response to Beach

The NHLPA executive board has voted in favor of conducting an independent review into the union's response to the sexual assault allegations Kyle Beach made toward then-Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.

NHLPA executive director Donald Fehr, who's held that position since 2010, recommended conducting the independent investigation on Monday.

Beach never suited up in an NHL regular season or playoff game, but he had NHLPA membership since he was a Black Ace for the Blackhawks during their 2010 Stanley Cup run.

Fehr was contacted on two occasions about the allegations against Aldrich, according to law firm Jenner & Block's 107-page report, published Oct. 26. He told investigators he couldn't recall either conversation but didn't deny they happened.

As part of an Oct. 27 interview with TSN, where he identified himself as the "John Doe" in the lawsuit, Beach said he had reported all details to the NHLPA.

"I know I reported every single detail to an individual at the NHLPA, who I was put in contact with after. I believe two different people talked to Don Fehr," Beach said.

"And for him to turn his back on the players when his one job is to protect the players at all costs, I don't know how that can be your leader. I don't know how he can be in charge."

There were no talks about removing Fehr from his job as executive director during Monday's conference call, which featured roughly 80 players and lasted over two hours, per ESPN's Emily Kaplan.