Chicago Blackhawks Covered Up Allegations of Sexual Assault
October 27, 2021 8:01 AM Subscribe
The Chicago Blackhawks chose chasing a tarnished Cup instead of doing what’s right. (CW: sexual assault) In the wake of an independent investigation that determined that the Chicago Blackhawks covered up allegations of sexual assault by one of their coaches in 2010, president of hockey operations Stan Bowman resigned. Other executives who knew about the allegations are employed with other teams.
Background:
On May 23, 2010, a few weeks before they won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years, Blackhawks brass met to discuss allegations that one of their coaches, Brad Aldrich, sexually assaulted a player. They decided to keep quiet, reasoning that it would distract the team from the playoffs. Aldrich was later forced to resign, but not until he had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, made sexual advances to an intern, and received a glowing recommendation. He used that to get a job with Miami University, where he assaulted a student. He was fired but not investigated by the police or charged. He was convicted in 2013 of sexually assaulting a high school student.
Here’s a timeline of the case that covers everything up to the release of the independent investigation.
Oh, I forgot the fine: The NHL fined the team $2 million, a smaller punishment than the one they doled out in 2010 when the New Jersey Devils signed a player to a cap-circumventing contract.
Background:
On May 23, 2010, a few weeks before they won their first Stanley Cup in 49 years, Blackhawks brass met to discuss allegations that one of their coaches, Brad Aldrich, sexually assaulted a player. They decided to keep quiet, reasoning that it would distract the team from the playoffs. Aldrich was later forced to resign, but not until he had his name engraved on the Stanley Cup, made sexual advances to an intern, and received a glowing recommendation. He used that to get a job with Miami University, where he assaulted a student. He was fired but not investigated by the police or charged. He was convicted in 2013 of sexually assaulting a high school student.
Here’s a timeline of the case that covers everything up to the release of the independent investigation.
Oh, I forgot the fine: The NHL fined the team $2 million, a smaller punishment than the one they doled out in 2010 when the New Jersey Devils signed a player to a cap-circumventing contract.
Defector has a good summary of this as well.
posted by Ampersand692 at 9:12 AM on October 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Ampersand692 at 9:12 AM on October 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
This makes me so upset. I was REALLY into the Hawks for that run, to the point that growing a playoff beard that season convinced me to keep it permanently.
Tarnished Cup, indeed.
posted by hwyengr at 9:32 AM on October 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
Tarnished Cup, indeed.
posted by hwyengr at 9:32 AM on October 27, 2021 [4 favorites]
I did have one more thought though: why is it always the victim's fault that they were assaulted? Like, if you just hadn't existed as you are, this never would have happened, you brought it on yourself.
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:33 AM on October 27, 2021
posted by jenfullmoon at 9:33 AM on October 27, 2021
I did have one more thought though: why is it always the victim's fault that they were assaulted?
because it's easier to fix the blame than the problem.
.
posted by lon_star at 9:48 AM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
because it's easier to fix the blame than the problem.
.
posted by lon_star at 9:48 AM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
Is there anything a sports organization won't do? Putting aside my personal opinions about whether or not sports are entertaining, the way these organizations treat the people in their care is consistently & wildly inhumane.
posted by bleep at 9:55 AM on October 27, 2021 [5 favorites]
posted by bleep at 9:55 AM on October 27, 2021 [5 favorites]
I still fail to understand why, especially in this day and age (when things are going to come out eventually), people in authority try to cover up this shit?
The explanations of why they did it fail to pass muster for me. "We don't want to rock the boat during the playoffs". Okay ... so you don't want to publicly deal with it, and want to brush it under the rug for that duration. Morally indefensible, still. But I can kinda see that. But then why is his name on the cup? Why did you give him a glowing recommendation? Why was he still allowed in the facility where he then made sexual advances to an intern?
posted by indianbadger1 at 10:23 AM on October 27, 2021 [6 favorites]
The explanations of why they did it fail to pass muster for me. "We don't want to rock the boat during the playoffs". Okay ... so you don't want to publicly deal with it, and want to brush it under the rug for that duration. Morally indefensible, still. But I can kinda see that. But then why is his name on the cup? Why did you give him a glowing recommendation? Why was he still allowed in the facility where he then made sexual advances to an intern?
posted by indianbadger1 at 10:23 AM on October 27, 2021 [6 favorites]
That Defector summary was helpful in that it explained what a "black ace" player is (minor leaguer called up during the playoffs to travel with the team). The team clearly felt they could get away with treating this player with contempt because he was only a minor leaguer.
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:52 AM on October 27, 2021 [8 favorites]
posted by DirtyOldTown at 10:52 AM on October 27, 2021 [8 favorites]
I still fail to understand why, especially in this day and age (when things are going to come out eventually), people in authority try to cover up this shit?
I think you are wildly underestimating how much of this shit actually never does come out. The reason people try to cover this up is that, generally, it works. And in the rare occasion that it does come out? History tells us that not much happens to those who committed the assault and those who covered it up.
posted by mcduff at 11:15 AM on October 27, 2021 [27 favorites]
I think you are wildly underestimating how much of this shit actually never does come out. The reason people try to cover this up is that, generally, it works. And in the rare occasion that it does come out? History tells us that not much happens to those who committed the assault and those who covered it up.
posted by mcduff at 11:15 AM on October 27, 2021 [27 favorites]
That Defector summary was helpful in that it explained what a "black ace" player is (minor leaguer called up during the playoffs to travel with the team). The team clearly felt they could get away with treating this player with contempt because he was only a minor leaguer.
It's also worth noting that the perpetrator, Brad Aldrich, was a video coach. The Chicago hockey team had nine coaches that year; the head coach and his assistants at the top of the hierarchy, and the video coach is at the bottom along with the strength and conditioning coach. I mean, even if 97% of their success was due to Aldrich, he still should have been sacked and reported to the police immediately, but his contribution was marginal.
posted by Superilla at 12:19 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
It's also worth noting that the perpetrator, Brad Aldrich, was a video coach. The Chicago hockey team had nine coaches that year; the head coach and his assistants at the top of the hierarchy, and the video coach is at the bottom along with the strength and conditioning coach. I mean, even if 97% of their success was due to Aldrich, he still should have been sacked and reported to the police immediately, but his contribution was marginal.
posted by Superilla at 12:19 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
indianbadger1: "But then why is his name on the cup? Why did you give him a glowing recommendation? Why was he still allowed in the facility where he then made sexual advances to an intern?"
I can't speak for the Blackhawks organization, obviously, but at a guess: if you admit there has been a problem, you need to account for your complicity in it. If you say "oh yeah, btw this guy raped someone a few months ago" then you need to have an exculpatory answer for the obvious question "why didn't you fire him on the spot and make it public?"
posted by adamrice at 12:20 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
I can't speak for the Blackhawks organization, obviously, but at a guess: if you admit there has been a problem, you need to account for your complicity in it. If you say "oh yeah, btw this guy raped someone a few months ago" then you need to have an exculpatory answer for the obvious question "why didn't you fire him on the spot and make it public?"
posted by adamrice at 12:20 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
It'd be only a tiny bit of justice, but there is precedent for erasing a name from the Stanley Cup.
posted by Rumple at 12:33 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by Rumple at 12:33 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
Stereotypes can be damaging, and "big dumb jock" is a stereotype
That said, I spent a little time in elementary classrooms before I decided a career in teaching was not for me. There was a very strong correlation between some of the more obnoxious, bullying kids in the classroom, and whether they played U13 hockey. I also remember a very thoughtful, serious kid who got into high school football eventually and the few times I encountered him (out and about) he still seemed pretty thoughtful and mostly kinder than the average person.. So there's that.
posted by elkevelvet at 1:51 PM on October 27, 2021
That said, I spent a little time in elementary classrooms before I decided a career in teaching was not for me. There was a very strong correlation between some of the more obnoxious, bullying kids in the classroom, and whether they played U13 hockey. I also remember a very thoughtful, serious kid who got into high school football eventually and the few times I encountered him (out and about) he still seemed pretty thoughtful and mostly kinder than the average person.. So there's that.
posted by elkevelvet at 1:51 PM on October 27, 2021
Also worth noting is that Stan Bowman also stepped aside as the GM of the US Men's Olympic Hockey program. The current assistant GM is Bill Guerin, who is... also being investigated for covering up a sexual assault, this one of a coach's wife when Guerin was in charge of the Penguins. If I hadn't been assured otherwise, it'd start to seem hockey has a systemic problem.
posted by Superilla at 2:09 PM on October 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by Superilla at 2:09 PM on October 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
I am pretty sure that's it though.. all the other NHL franchises are squeaky clean, I can't think of a single other incident of this nature.
And the other major sports leagues are similarly unblemished, I'm sure.
posted by elkevelvet at 2:14 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
And the other major sports leagues are similarly unblemished, I'm sure.
posted by elkevelvet at 2:14 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
@adamrice :
but at a guess: if you admit there has been a problem, you need to account for your complicity in it.
But by allowing him to continue to be a part of the organization, the liability increases, right? Isn't there a lawsuit against the Blackhawks, by one the the kids that this lowlife subsequently molested, specifically targeting this tort? That is my befuddlement.
If you at least don't extricate this guy from the org chart straightaway after credible allegations are made; you are open to subsequent civil action, right? Covering up by not publicly firing the guy, and not informing authorities is one thing. But what the Blackhawks did (and did not do), was to make themselves liable for the subsequent misdeeds by this lowlife. That is what confuses me. Why would you open yourself up that way as an organization? It is similar to the Catholic Church; when they kept shuffling the molesters around; without informing the parishes they were sent to. Most of the judgments against the Church were because of this tort, if I recall.
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:23 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
but at a guess: if you admit there has been a problem, you need to account for your complicity in it.
But by allowing him to continue to be a part of the organization, the liability increases, right? Isn't there a lawsuit against the Blackhawks, by one the the kids that this lowlife subsequently molested, specifically targeting this tort? That is my befuddlement.
If you at least don't extricate this guy from the org chart straightaway after credible allegations are made; you are open to subsequent civil action, right? Covering up by not publicly firing the guy, and not informing authorities is one thing. But what the Blackhawks did (and did not do), was to make themselves liable for the subsequent misdeeds by this lowlife. That is what confuses me. Why would you open yourself up that way as an organization? It is similar to the Catholic Church; when they kept shuffling the molesters around; without informing the parishes they were sent to. Most of the judgments against the Church were because of this tort, if I recall.
posted by indianbadger1 at 2:23 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
indianbadger1: "It is similar to the Catholic Church;"
People do have a tendency to put off what they'd rather not deal with. And the Catholic Church got away with it for decades. If you can get away with putting things off until you're gone, it's not your problem.
posted by adamrice at 2:28 PM on October 27, 2021 [6 favorites]
People do have a tendency to put off what they'd rather not deal with. And the Catholic Church got away with it for decades. If you can get away with putting things off until you're gone, it's not your problem.
posted by adamrice at 2:28 PM on October 27, 2021 [6 favorites]
John Doe 1, the player assaulted by Aldrich at the Chicago NHL team, has come forward. He is Kyle Beach; at the time of the assault he was a 20 year old, who had played most of the season in the WHL (a 'major junior' league for 16-21 year old developing players), and had played all of six professional hockey games for Chicago's AHL minor league affiliate in Rockford. I couldn't imagine a more vulnerable player being in an NHL dressing room.
Rick Westhead, one of the journalists who has been the most dogged at breaking the story, has a long interview with Beach here. I haven't listened to the entire thing; it's not graphic, but it is fucking harrowing.
posted by Superilla at 3:36 PM on October 27, 2021 [13 favorites]
Rick Westhead, one of the journalists who has been the most dogged at breaking the story, has a long interview with Beach here. I haven't listened to the entire thing; it's not graphic, but it is fucking harrowing.
posted by Superilla at 3:36 PM on October 27, 2021 [13 favorites]
There is a terrible history in hockey. There was the former coach from the WHL, the Maple Leaf Gardens employee, the book Game Misconduct. I'll leave out the names and leave out other stories (I feel wrong making a long list of every story). There is also former NHLer Daniel Carcillo and his campaign against hazing in junior hockey.
posted by philfromhavelock at 4:40 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
posted by philfromhavelock at 4:40 PM on October 27, 2021 [2 favorites]
And the Catholic Church got away with it for decades millennia
posted by FatherDagon at 6:51 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by FatherDagon at 6:51 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Wish the Oilers hadn’t taken Keith. Tempted to boycott the season.
posted by furtive at 6:58 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by furtive at 6:58 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
So there are some dangling threads here that need resolution. Quennville is currently coaching the Panthers, and his statements that he knew nothing are at odds with the report. He meets with Bettman tomorrow. Similarly, the Jets GM, Cheveldayoff, was with the Blackhawks during this and he'll also be talking with Bettman. But perhaps the most interesting thread I want to see followed up on is the fact that apparently the NHLPA's executive director Donakd Fehr was made aware. Fehr is still in that role.
posted by nubs at 7:43 PM on October 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by nubs at 7:43 PM on October 27, 2021 [3 favorites]
Cmd-F "keith"
1 result
furtive, can you explain that?. I can't find any reference to that player anywhere in this story.
posted by ChrisR at 10:07 PM on October 27, 2021
1 result
furtive, can you explain that?. I can't find any reference to that player anywhere in this story.
posted by ChrisR at 10:07 PM on October 27, 2021
ChrisR, this might help. Note that Keith spoke before Beach identified himself, and Beach has said that he believes everyone knew based on comments received at the time from people across the organization. I think it's fair to say that Keith's comments are being met with some skepticism. Patrick Kane and Johnathan Towes said similar things today, and Toews in particular comes across poorly IMHO.
Whatever the case with what the players knew when, the utter failure of the Blackhawks organization to act appropriately is reflecting poorly on everyone.
posted by nubs at 11:50 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Whatever the case with what the players knew when, the utter failure of the Blackhawks organization to act appropriately is reflecting poorly on everyone.
posted by nubs at 11:50 PM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]
Kyle Beach and Brad Aldrich prospect pages each have links to 1in6.org for those wishing to donate or seek support. Per 1in6.org, "The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier, happier lives. Our mission also includes serving family members, friends, partners, and service providers by providing information and support resources on the web and in the community."
posted by beaning at 6:33 AM on October 28, 2021
posted by beaning at 6:33 AM on October 28, 2021
ChrisR, other former players, Nick Boynton and Brent Sopel, confirmed that everyone knew and it was a topic of conversation in the locker room for several days once it started getting around. There's a Flyers player (I can't recall who right now) who said they heard about it too, so it was even getting around to rival teams.
Hence everyone's skepticism that guys like Keith, Kane, and Toews are claiming they didn't know. It's just not credible.
posted by keep it under cover at 6:42 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Hence everyone's skepticism that guys like Keith, Kane, and Toews are claiming they didn't know. It's just not credible.
posted by keep it under cover at 6:42 PM on October 28, 2021 [2 favorites]
Quenneville resigned as head coach of the Panthers this evening. His statement.
posted by nubs at 8:47 PM on October 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by nubs at 8:47 PM on October 28, 2021 [1 favorite]
Ah; that's the issue then; I think there's an assumption that people just keep decades of team rosters or histories in their heads, and ... I just don't. I had no idea who "Keith" was, nor what his association was with this story.
Ugh.
posted by ChrisR at 12:03 AM on October 29, 2021
Ugh.
posted by ChrisR at 12:03 AM on October 29, 2021
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posted by jenfullmoon at 9:10 AM on October 27, 2021 [1 favorite]