Chicago Blackhawks To Conduct Independent Review Of 2010 Sexual Abuse And Alleged Cover Up

The Chicago Blackhawks organization has been in the news this week for all the wrong reasons. After a lawsuit alleged that video coach Brad Aldrich sexually harassed a player in 2010, some players and ex-coaches are now coming out to reveal that ‘every guy on the team’ knew of the allegations, and the organization opted not to involve the police.

Former Blackhawks Player Says “Every Guy On The Team Knew” Of Sexual Abuse Allegations Against Coach Brad Aldrichhttps://t.co/If9EOKw24B

— SideAction (@SideActionHQ) June 25, 2021

[sportsbookaffiliates]

After being scrutinized for their silence amid the disturbing story, the Blackhawks are finally reacting. In a memo to The Athletic, team CEO Danny Wirtz said that the team has hired an investigator to look into the claims of the 2010 cover up.

“We want to reiterate to you that we take the allegations described in these lawsuits very seriously,” Wirtz said in the memo. “They in no way reflect this organization’s culture or values.” Wirtz added that the team hired former federal prosecutor Reid Schar to review the allegations.

“Mr. Schar and his firm have significant experience conducting independent investigative reviews, have no previous ties to the Blackhawks organization, and have been directed to follow the facts wherever they lead,” Wirtz said.

Brad Aldrich went on to coach a high school hockey team in Houghton, Michigan. During his time with that team, Aldrich was convicted of abusing a then-17-year-old hockey player.

According to former players Nick Boynton, Brent Sopel, and assistant coach John Torchetti: president John McDonough, general manager Stan Bowman, and vice-president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac were made aware of the allegations against Brad Aldrich.

Stan Bowman is currently the president of hockey operations for the Chicago Blackhawks.

Welcome to the game outside the game! Follow us on our Sideaction Twitter handle, Instagram, and Facebook for the latest on sports and pop culture news across the web!