Corey Perry apologized to the Chicago Blackhawks, teammates, fans and family for his actions that led to his contract being terminated. He said he's started working with mental health and substance abuse experts to ensure this doesn't happen again.
Corey Perry apologized to the Chicago Blackhawks, teammates, fans and family for his actions that led to his contract being terminated. He said he's started working with mental health and substance abuse experts to ensure this doesn't happen again.
Corey Perry released a statement on Thursday after the Chicago Blackhawks terminated his contract on Wednesday.
The 38-year-old apologized for his actions that led to a team investigation and his subsequent contract termination. He added that he's begun to seek steps in collaboration with mental health and substance abuse experts and hopes to regain the trust and respect of all those who believed in him during his hockey career.
"I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates," Perry's statement said. "I would also like to apologize to my fans, and my family. I am embarrassed and I have let you all down."
Perry last played for the Blackhawks on Nov. 19 against the Buffalo Sabres. He travelled with the team to Columbus ahead of a matchup against the Blue Jackets, which is where GM Kyle Davidson learned of Perry's alleged behavior and pulled him from the lineup. After an internal investigation, the team determined Perry "engaged in conduct that is unacceptable and in violation of both the terms of his Standard Player's Contract and the Blackhawks' internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments," read a club statement on Tuesday.
Davidson and the Blackhawks did not reveal what Perry's alleged actions were, but the GM said it does not involve any other player or player's family members on the team. Perry said the same in his statement.
"As a result of my actions, there has been speculation and rumors," he wrote. "I am sickened by the impact this has had on others, and I want to make it clear that in no way did this situation involve any of my teammates or their families.
"Most importantly, I want to directly apologize to those who have been negatively affected and I am sorry for the additional impact to others it has created. My behaviour was inappropriate and wrong."
The Peterborough, Ont., native was in his first season with the Blackhawks since being acquired from the Tampa Bay Lightning in June. In his 19 NHL seasons, most of which were spent with the Anaheim Ducks, Perry has 1,273 games played, 421 goals and 471 assists for 892 points.