Corey Perry at a game on November 12, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida.Photo:Joel Auerbach/Getty
Joel Auerbach/Getty
Corey Perryapologized to the Chicago Blackhawks and his fans for “inappropriate behavior,” two days after the teamplaced him on unconditional waiversin a step toward terminating his contract.
“I would like to sincerely apologize to the entire Chicago Blackhawks organization, including ownership, management, coaches, trainers, employees, and my teammates. I would also like to apologize to my fans and my family. I am embarrassed, and I have let you all down,” Perry, 38, began ina statement Thursday.
The Canadian winger joined the team in June after atwo-season stintwith the Tampa Bay Lightning. They shared in theirannouncementthat Perry had been signed to a one-year contract with a $4 million salary cap hit.
Corey Perry at Bell Centre on October 14, 2023 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.Minas Panagiotakis/Getty
Minas Panagiotakis/Getty
While his statement did not detail his “actions,” he addressed the “speculation and rumors.”
Corey Perry during a game on November 18, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty
Perry expressed that he is “deeply sorry” and that he has begun “working with experts in the mental health and substance abuse fields to discuss my struggles with alcohol.”
“I will take whatever steps necessary to ensure this never happens again. I hope to regain the trust and respect of everyone who has believed in me throughout my career,” the statement continued.
In the Blackhawks' statement about Perry’s removal from the team, they shared that an internal investigation determined that he “has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable, and in violation both of the terms of his Standard Player’s Contract and the Blackhawks’ internal policies intended to promote professional and safe work environments.”
“However, I do want to be very clear on this one point: this does not involve any players or their families, And anything that suggests otherwise or anyone that suggests otherwise is wildly inaccurate, and frankly it’s disgusting," Davidson added.
source: people.com
