Former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich made sexual assault allegations against him during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run. After the findings of the investigation were made public, Blackhawks president of hockey operations Stan Bowman resigned.
With the departure of senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac, the Chicago Blackhawks have lost all of their 2010 team executives.
Additionally, the league fined the team $200,000 for “organization’s deficient internal procedures and insufficient and tardy response in the management of concerns relating to the employment and eventual departure in 2010” of former video coach Brad Aldrich.
Local organizations that assist victims of sexual and other forms of abuse will receive half of the fine.
Unidentified former Blackhawks player “John Doe” filed a complaint in May 2021 alleging that Aldrich sexually attacked him and another player during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run, alleging that Aldrich committed sexual assault.
A complete inquiry was ordered by the Chicago Blackhawks in June and was carried out by the independent law firm Jenner & Block. A former assistant U.S. attorney, Reid Schar, conducted the probe, which was completed on Monday and turned over to the Blackhawks.
It was announced Tuesday that the findings had been made public. An official statement from the squad was released to the public after a press conference.
They also added “it is apparent the company and its executives did not live up to our own standards or ideals at that time” in resolving the distressing situations. Our hearts go out to John Doe and the others who were harmed, and we apologize for not responding sooner. We, as a company, sincerely apologize to anyone harmed by these occurrences. No matter what, we have to — and will — do better.
Doe said he was happy for the accountability displayed by the Blackhawks, according to a statement released by his attorney, Susan Loggans.
However, John Doe remarked, “Nothing can completely undo the harm one individual in the Blackhawks organization has done to my life over the past decade, but I am happy for the truth being recognized, and I look forward to beginning the long journey to recovery.”
139 people were interviewed by the investigators, according to Schar on Tuesday, including John Doe and Aldrich. Both men were represented by attorneys. To his credit, Schar verified that “John Doe” was in fact a Black Ace, an AHL player who was promoted to the NHL in time for the playoffs.
Aldrich sexually assaulted John Doe on May 8 or 9 of that year, according to investigators’ conclusions. A meeting occurred, as both John Doe and Aldrich told investigators; John Doe claimed it was consensual, although the latter claimed otherwise.
Following the alleged sexual meeting between the coach and player, MacIsaac was allegedly informed by Schar that Aldrich had sent an explicit text message to another player.
It was on May 23 that John McDonough, MacIsaac, and Bowman met with James Gary and Joel Quenneville to talk about what had occurred to John Doe.
Cheveldayoff is now the Jets general manager, and Quenneville is now the Panthers coach. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said he plans to meet with both in the near future to talk about “their roles” in the relevant events, which are outlined in the report. I’m going to hold off on making any decisions about what to do next with them.
Despite Schar’s claim that “accounts of that meeting differ greatly,” Aldrich remained with the team for the Stanley Cup festivities. Stanley Cup rings and a day with the Stanley Cup were presented to Aldrich.
The head of human resources for the Chicago Blackhawks allegedly met with Aldrich on June 16 and offered him the choice of undergoing an inquiry or resigning. As a result of Aldrich’s resignation, no investigation was launched into his conduct.
An inquiry conducted after the Blackhawks were made aware of the original claims found that Aldrich made a sexual advance on a 22-year-old intern.
Rocky Wirtz, the team’s owner, stated on Tuesday that he and Danny Wirtz, the CEO, were unaware of the charges until the lawsuits were filed.
‘The study is very unpleasant and difficult to read,’ Danny Wirtz said. “It’s self-explanatory.”
He claims in a recent court file acquired by the Chicago Sun-Times that as a result of the assault he was plagued by depression and other mental health issues as well as sleeping and sexual difficulties as well as marital issues that led to his divorce.
An ex-Blackhawks player recently told ESPN that he thought the NHL was “trying to sweep this incident under the rug.” in June.
An alleged attempt by Aldrich “to do something with guys” was mentioned by a player to ESPN, but no one knew for sure. The Blackhawks failed to inform the players of Aldrich’s departure or provide an explanation.
To think that someone could turn a blind eye and allow anything like this to happen is terrifying, the gamer said.
That same athlete texted ESPN after the press conference on Tuesday to say: “I’m glad justice has been served in some way.” I’m sorry it took so long….and caused so much suffering….but the result is correct.”
Bowman said in a statement that he didn’t want to be a distraction for the team as it prepares for the future. Then he revealed what he had to do with what had happened in 2010.
11 years ago, in my first year as general manager, I was alerted to inappropriate activity by a then-video coach that involved one of our players. “I immediately brought the issue to the attention of the company’s then-President and CEO, who promised to address it. This year, I discovered that the inappropriate behavior was linked to a severe allegation of sexual assault. I trusted my superior’s guidance and assumed he’d take the right step as directed. Now that I know he didn’t, I regret assuming he would. Looking back, I regret assuming he would.
The Wirtz family will continue to do what it takes to win championships with integrity and the goal of doing what is right, I am convinced.
It was revealed later in the day on Tuesday that Bowman had also resigned from his position as general manager of the United States’ Olympic men’s hockey team.
When Aldrich was released from the Blackhawks, he was charged with fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct for an incident involving a high school student in Michigan. To complete his nine-month prison term and five years of probation, he was given a nine-year prison sentence. His sentence expired in 2019. This man’s name appears on the state’s list of sex offenders.
Hockey legend Scotty Bowman’s son is credited with helping the Chicago Blackhawks win three Stanley Cups in a row from 2010 to 2015. His tenure with the organization dates back to 2001, when he worked his way up to the position of general manager. When his tenure as general manager ended in 2020, he was elevated to the position of president of hockey operations.
Interim general manager Kyle Davidson has been named by the Chicago Blackhawks. An deputy general manager was his previous position.