Chicago Blackhawks Settle Second Lawsuit Over Sexual Assault Allegations
The Chicago Blackhawks have reached an agreement in a second lawsuit involving a former player who alleged negligence concerning sexual assault accusations against their former video coach, Brad Aldrich, dating back to 2010. Filed earlier this year in Cook County, Illinois, the lawsuit identified the former player as “John Doe,” who was a reserve player known as a Black Ace during the Blackhawks’ 2010 postseason, which culminated in their Stanley Cup victory.
Details of the Lawsuit
Represented by the law firm Romanucci & Blandin, Doe’s complaint included 15 counts of negligence, accusing Aldrich of exploiting his position by grooming, harassing, threatening, and ultimately assaulting Doe for sexual purposes. The lawsuit contended that the Blackhawks displayed “utter indifference and/or conscious disregard” for the well-being of their employees by failing to take action after being notified of Aldrich’s misconduct. As a result, Doe claimed significant emotional and physical distress.
Settlement and Background
While the details of the settlement have not been disclosed, both parties confirmed that they had reached an agreement, coinciding with a trial date that was initially scheduled for October 27. This lawsuit follows another case filed by Kyle Beach, a forward for the 2010 Blackhawks, who accused Aldrich of sexual assault and criticized the organization’s leadership for delaying action until after the team’s championship win in that season. Beach’s settlement with the team came in 2021.
After the allegations surfaced, the Blackhawks permitted Aldrich to resign from his coaching position. In 2013, he was convicted of criminal sexual conduct involving a minor he coached in Michigan, leading to his imprisonment and subsequent registration as a sex offender.
Investigations and Consequences
The revelations regarding Aldrich prompted an independent investigation led by Jenner & Block, in which Doe participated under the pseudonym “Black Ace 1.” The investigation ultimately led to substantial penalties for the Blackhawks, including a $2 million fine by the NHL for failing to respond appropriately to the assault allegations. Following this fallout, key executives within the organization, including Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac, resigned in October 2021, and former head coach Joel Quenneville stepped down from his position with the Florida Panthers after discussions with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman.
Reinstatement of Executives
In July 2024, the NHL reinstated the three implicated executives, acknowledging their understanding of their past failures and showcasing their commitment to personal growth through various programs aimed at better understanding abuse and proper responses. In subsequent moves, Bowman took on the general manager role with the Edmonton Oilers, while Quenneville was hired as head coach by the Anaheim Ducks the following year.
The Athletic was the first outlet to report on the settlement of this latest lawsuit against the Blackhawks.
