NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman called diversity and inclusiveness "very important" and a "priority" for the league. Appearing on NBC yesterday during the broadcast of the Winter Classic featuring Predators-Stars, Bettman said the NHL has been "working very hard to ensure that everyone feels welcome in our game." But he added, "Whatever we've done, we can always do more." Bettman also addressed the league's four-point plan to combat abuse in the game, a plan formulated in the wake of allegations made by former NHLer Akim Aliu against now-fired Flames coach Bill Peters. Bettman: "The issue that was raised by a 10-year-old allegation was having a workplace that is comfortable for everyone, and when people in responsible positions like coaches have power, are they in a position to abuse it?" He added, "Overwhelmingly, our coaches and our executives do a great job, but we’re going to do some education training and consciousness raising to make sure that our work environment is as good as it can be for everybody in our game” (“Predators-Stars,” NBC, 1/1).
