After a hiatus of nearly three years, Stan Bowman has been named the general manager of the Edmonton Oilers, making his comeback to the NHL. Bowman's return follows an "inadequate response" to sexual assault allegations during his tenure with the Chicago Blackhawks, as highlighted in the Jenner & Block report.

On July 1, the NHL reinstated Bowman, along with former Blackhawks executive Al MacIsaac and head coach Joel Quenneville, after they demonstrated remorse and actively participated in programs addressing acts of abuse. The league acknowledged their commitment to responding effectively and meaningfully to such allegations.

Bowman, a three-time Stanley Cup winner, takes over the reins of an Oilers team that narrowly missed out on a championship last season. He was hired by team president Jeff Jackson, who had been serving as interim GM since the departure of Ken Holland after the Stanley Cup Final.

Upon his arrival in Edmonton, Bowman faces significant organizational decisions, with the prospect of superstar forward Leon Draisaitl becoming a free agent next summer and captain Connor McDavid having only two seasons remaining on his contract. Additionally, top defenseman Evan Bouchard's impending contract renewal after the 2024-25 season awaits a major payday.

Stretching out the Oilers' competitive window will be a top priority for Bowman. The 51-year-old spent 12 years as the GM of the Blackhawks before resigning in October 2021 due to the organization's mishandling of allegations against video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.

The Jenner & Block report unveiled a meeting where Bowman and five other senior team executives discussed the allegations after the Blackhawks' Western Conference win, but no immediate action was taken. The Blackhawks were fined $2 million by the NHL following the release of the report.

Bowman's involvement in the Olympics was also affected by the fallout. He stepped down as the GM for Team USA's entry at the 2022 Winter Olympics. However, Sheldon Kennedy of Respect Group, dedicated to creating a safe and inclusive environment within hockey, endorsed Bowman after their suspensions. Kennedy praised Bowman's genuine care and concern for the victim, expressing hope in his ability to bring about meaningful change.

In response to Kennedy's endorsement, Bowman actively engaged in building and leading a workshop for three Western Hockey League teams. He used his own failure in the Aldrich case as an example and took responsibility for not following up adequately on conversations and accusations.

As Stan Bowman begins his new chapter with the Edmonton Oilers, the focus will be on repairing past mistakes and ensuring a safe and inclusive environment within the organization. With his experience as a successful GM and a newfound commitment to addressing abuse, Bowman aims to lead the Oilers to further success while ensuring the well-being of his players.