Corey Perry Issues Apology After Blackhawks Cut Him for ‘Unacceptable’ Behavior: ‘I Am Embarrassed’

Corey Perry at a game on November 12, 2023 in Sunrise, Florida.

Corey Perry apologized to the Chicago Blackhawks and his fans for “inappropriate behavior,” two days after the team placed him on unconditional waivers in 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 in a statement Thursday.

The Canadian winger joined the team in June after a two-season stint with the Tampa Bay Lightning. They shared in their announcement that 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.

While his statement did not detail his “actions,” he addressed the “speculation and rumors.”

“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 behavior was inappropriate and wrong,” he added.

Corey Perry during a game on November 18, 2023 at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee.

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.”

In a press conference streamed by NBC Sports Chicago, Blackhawks general manager Kyle Davidson said he would “not be able to disclose any details related to the initial reporting, investigation or the findings” due to it being an “individual personnel matter.”

“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