A few thoughts on the statements (DeDobbaeler’s and Consorti’s).
First, there’s no chance in Hell that DeDobbaeler or his lawyers get their hands on the report by the third-party independent investigators. The report draws upon interviews with 15 former players, coaches, staff and team officials over a period of several months. Not a chance in H-E- Double Hockey Sticks he gets to see those names. Nobody would ever cooperate with a league investigation again if that happens.
Second, there’s no denial by the IceDogs that A) there were violations of the Maltreatment, Bullying and Harassment Protection and Prevention Policy and the Code of Conduct, B) players Joshua Rosenzweig and Landon Cato participated in serious violations of the Player Maltreatment Policy and have violated the OHL Code of Conduct including but not limited to Physical Maltreatment and Aiding and Abetting respectively, and C) Darren DeDobbelaer violated the confidentiality directive of the League. None of the club’s official statements say, “violations did not occur, Rosenzweig and Cato are innocent, DeDobbelaer didn’t blab.”
Third, despite issuing no denials, DeDobbelaer does not provide his version of the truth. His release states, “I look forward to filing my appeal and defending my position,” but he does not state what his position actually is or what, specifically, he plans to appeal. The findings? The sanctions?
Now, Consorti’s statement has the league’s fingerprints all over it.
The most obvious way is this: DeDobbelaer’s statement ends with “I would ask you to direct all comments and inquiries to my legal counsel at Lucentem Sports and Entertainment Law.” Consorti’s statement ends with “We kindly ask that you direct any questions or inquiries regarding this matter to the league office’s attention.” Guess who demanded the second version. Hint: it wasn’t DeDobbelaer.
Also, Consorti’s statement contains this paragraph:
“The Niagara IceDogs want to make it very clear that The league and The Club put tremendous emphasis on our players well being and safety. The League and The Club are here to ensure the best experience for our players on and off the ice.”
The only time you will see the article “The” capitalized (“The League and The Club”) is in official league documents and contracts (Standard Player Agreements, Constitution, etc.). This is a cut and paste paragraph composed by the league office and published under Consorti’s name. Similarly, while DeDobbelaer’s statement says, “I take these allegations very seriously,” Consorti’s says, “We are taking these findings very seriously.” Notice how “allegations” is changed to “findings”? How DeDobbelaer uses the active voice (“I take”) and Consorti uses the passive voice (“We are taking”)? Guess who wrote the second version?
Dave Branch does not appreciate seeing his authority even remotely questioned in print. The league’s constitution provides him with nearly unfettered power to make independent decisions in the best interests of the league, and God help the brash type A personality who deigns to test that authority. The second statement the IceDogs published was unquestionably demanded by the league and “The Club” — through the assistant GM — complied.