Legal Proceedings Against the Chicago Blackhawks
In a significant legal development, a lawsuit filed by a former player against the Chicago Blackhawks is moving forward to trial, scheduled for October. This decision comes after a Cook County Circuit Court judge denied the team’s bid for summary judgment earlier this week. The player, identified only as “John Doe”, accuses the Blackhawks of negligence in handling allegations of sexual assault against Brad Aldrich, a former video coach, during the tumultuous period of the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs.
Background of the Case
This lawsuit echoes a similar case involving former player Kyle Beach, who previously settled with the Blackhawks regarding related allegations against Aldrich that were raised during the same playoff season. The Blackhawks contended that John Doe’s claims fell outside the legal time frame, asserting that the two-year statute of limitations applied since he should have been aware of his situation by 2011, when Aldrich resigned following the allegations.
However, John Doe maintained that he only fully became aware of the extent of his rights and the situation surrounding Aldrich’s actions in October 2021, coinciding with the release of a report from the law firm Jenner & Block, which investigated the organization’s handling of the allegations. The Blackhawks countered this argument, suggesting that Doe was relying on evidence, such as the Jenner & Block report, that they deemed inadmissible and that he failed to prove any fraudulent efforts by the organization to conceal the allegations in 2010.
Judge’s Ruling and Trial Implications
Judge Barbara Flores identified multiple points of contention in her ruling against the summary judgment, noting that depositions from both John Doe and former Blackhawks coach Paul Vincent, alongside communications that suggested the team’s management was aware of Aldrich’s actions, raised substantial questions that warranted further examination in a trial setting. Flores articulated that the conversations between John Doe and the team psychologist, James Gary, demonstrated possible awareness and actions taken by the organization’s leadership regarding the problematic behavior.
She pointed out that the issues presented create a situation where reasoned groups could differ in their interpretations of the facts, thus necessitating a jury’s evaluation. The trial could see former Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman, now with the Edmonton Oilers, taking the stand if a new subpoena is issued; although he had previously succeeded in quashing one due to procedural errors in its delivery.
Next Steps in the Legal Process
John Doe’s legal team has expressed their intention to continue pursuing necessary testimonies, emphasizing their dedication to obtaining justice for their client and accountability for those perceived to have fostered an abusive environment.
The courtroom proceedings are set to begin with an assignment call at 10 a.m. on October 27 at the Cook County Circuit Court.
