Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Blackhawks: Firm to review sexual assault claims

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Monday, 28 June 2021 10:19

The Chicago Blackhawks have retained a former federal prosecutor to conduct an "independent review" of the Brad Aldrich allegations, team CEO Danny Wirtz told staffers in a memo on Monday.

According to a lawsuit filed by an unidentified former Blackhawks player, Aldrich, a former video coach, sexually assaulted him and another player during the 2010 playoff run to the Stanley Cup title. The player, referred to as "John Doe" in the filing, is seeking more than $150,000 in damages. Chicago radio station WBEZ first reported on the lawsuit, which was filed in May.

"Much has recently been said and written regarding the two lawsuits filed against the organization stemming from alleged events that occurred in 2010," Wirtz wrote in the memo, obtained by ESPN. "We want to reiterate to you that we take the allegations described in these lawsuits very seriously. They in no way reflect this organization's culture or values."

Wirtz said that "an experienced team of professionals, led by former federal prosecutor Reid Schar of the law firm of Jenner & Block LLP" will conduct the review. Wirtz noted the group has extensive experience and "no previous ties to the Blackhawks organization, and have been directed to follow the facts wherever they lead."

Wirtz wrote that "out of the respect of the legal proceedings and independent review" the Blackhawks will not comment further on the situation until each process has "reached its respective conclusion."

TSN reported last week that players reported the incident to then-Blackhawks skills coach Paul Vincent before the 2010 Western Conference finals. Vincent reportedly called a meeting a day later at the team hotel in San Jose and shared the information with the-team president John McDonagh, general manager Stan Bowman, senior VP of hockey ops Al MacIsaac and mental skills coach James Gary. Vincent said he told the executives to report the incident to Chicago police, but that never happened.

On Sunday, Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin -- who at the time was the director of player personnel with the Blackhawks -- said he was "not aware" of the situation at the time.

"It came out recently, there was a meeting that I heard that was done in Chicago, I was not part of any meeting, and I was not part of any decision based on that," Bergevin said in a pre-Stanley Cup Final news conference on Sunday. "And I was not aware of anything going on at the time. So you can go on the record with that."

One member of the Blackhawks' 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team told ESPN that he felt the NHL was "trying to sweep the situation under the rug."

That player told ESPN that Aldrich showed up for team photos before the Cup parade and was never seen by the team again.

There were some rumors that "Aldrich tried to do something with players," the player told ESPN, but there was never any communication about what happened. The Blackhawks never announced to the players that Aldrich had departed the organization or explained why.

"We go to this parade with 3 million people, and within days we're separated all over the world and get into offseason mode," the player said.

"It's scary to think people could turn their head and let this happen," the player said, noting he was most disturbed by reports that the Blackhawks wrote Aldrich a letter of recommendation for his next job.

After leaving the Blackhawks, Aldrich was convicted in 2013 in Michigan of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a high school student. He was sentenced in 2014 to nine months in prison and five years of probation, which ended in 2019. He is now on Michigan's registry of sex offenders.

Read 581 times

Soccer

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

Mexico coach hit in head by beer can in Honduras

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsA full can of beer thrown from the stands struck Mexico coach Javie...

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

Lyon handed provisional relegation, transfer ban

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLyon have been banned from making any transfers in the January tran...

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

Palma brace lifts Honduras over Mexico in NL

A brace from Luis Palma on Friday carried Honduras to a 2-0 Concacaf Nations League victory over Mex...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

Jenkins talks NBA 'code' after no-call on Draymond

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- Once again, the "code" word has come up in a game...

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

Fox scores franchise-best 60 but Kings lose in OT

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSACRAMENTO, Calif. -- When De'Aaron Fox saw that he had 48 points i...

Baseball

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

Ex-Reds manager Bell joins Blue Jays' front office

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsTORONTO -- The Toronto Blue Jays hired former Cincinnati Reds manag...

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

Ferrara, who won 2 titles with Dodgers, dies at 84

EmailPrintFormer outfielder Al "The Bull" Ferrara died Friday, the Los Angeles Dodgers announced. He...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated