The NHL’s Darkest Day in Recent Memory
An ongoing lawsuit against the Chicago Blackhawks that alleged negligence & intentional infliction of emotional distress against a former player at the hands of video coach Brad Aldrich has loomed over the NHL & Chicago for months and even years now. After months of reporting and documentation concerning an independent investigation from the Blackhawks organization for the lawsuits filed against them has come to it’s ugly end.
Back on May 23rd of 2010, The Blackhawks were within an hour of winning the Western Conference Final vs San Jose & a meeting that included 7 members of the Blackhawks organization will forever be more significant because of what was discussed. The people in said meeting were apart of the organizational hierarchy & were said to have got together to discuss reported allegations of sexual assault against an anonymous former player “John Doe” at the hands of Aldrich.
According to the findings from Jenner & Block’s independent investigation released on Tuesday.
Then Assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff & Head Coach Joel Quenneville were notably among the group of Chicago’s hierarchy that attended said meeting & all ultimately chose to keep the allegations quiet.
Though the team initially tried to deny and dismiss these allegations, on Tuesday October 26th, 2021; the National Hockey League fined the Chicago Blackhawks $2M for the mishandling a 2010 sexual assault matter to a former player. Half of the $2M will be dedicated to fund local organizations in and around the Chicago community that provide counseling and training for, and support and assistance to, survivors of sexual and other forms of abuse. Chicago CEO Danny Wirtz said on Tuesday that “I believe one of the beautiful parts of our game is the focus on team success over individual achievements and accolades. But that cannot come at the expense of individual safety and well-being” adding that “It is clear that in 2010 the executives of this organization put team performance above all else.”
Wirtz also said that while the organization has a “Strong Legal Defense” he has instructed his lawyers to seek a “Fair Resolution” to the lawsuits facing the team.
Following the independent findings against Chicago, the following moved have been made:
Stan Bowman has “stepped down” as GM from the organization and as Team USA’s Olympic team
Senior Vice President of Hockey Operations Al MacIsaac has “departed” from the organization.
Former Blackhawks HC/Current Panthers HC Joel Quenneville said Tuesday, that he became aware of the severe allegations in 2010 but could not deal with the issue as they had “Worked Hard” to make the Stanley Cup Finals. Appeared “Angry” and “Concerned” about upsetting team chemistry.
Kyle Davidsion will be Chicago’s Interim GM following Bowman’s departure.
H/T: The Athletic