Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman to cooperate with investigation into allegations of sexual abuse by former coach

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Chicago Blackhawks executive Stan Bowman pledged Thursday to cooperate with an investigation into allegations that an assistant coach sexually assaulted two players in 2010.

The president of hockey operations and general manager of the team declined to answer a question about a meeting regarding allegations 11 years ago of which he was allegedly a part. Bowman cited an ongoing litigation – the Blackhawks face two lawsuits – as well as the investigation by a former federal prosecutor.

“The review itself is something that I plan to participate in and I will give it my full cooperation,” Bowman said. “We have a few experts that we brought in. From what I understand, they are very respected people in the legal community, and I intend to cooperate fully with them.”

Bowman has been with Chicago since 2005 and has served as GM since 2009. The team won the Stanley Cup in 2010, 2013 and 2016 with him in charge of hockey decisions.

His pre-NHL draft video press conference was Bowman’s first media availability since the allegations were first reported. Bowman opened by saying the team does not tolerate sexual assault or harassment.

“We take this very seriously,” Bowman said when asked about the situation. “I take this very seriously. But we have to let the process unfold. That’s where it is today. We’re going to let it unfold.”

Longtime Blackhawks coach Joel Quenneville, now with Florida, recently said he contacted the organization to say he “will support and participate in the independent review.”

The investigation into one of the NHL’s most high-profile franchises took place after the filing of the two lawsuits. The first alleges sexual assault by former assistant coach Bradley Aldrich during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup title race, and the second was filed by a former student that Aldrich was convicted of assault in Michigan.

The former unidentified Blackhawks player said Aldrich assaulted him and the team did nothing after notifying an employee. The lawsuit, filed May 7 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges that Aldrich also assaulted another unidentified Blackhawks player. The former player who sued and claims more than $ 150,000 in damages.

According to TSN, two Blackhawks players told then skills coach Paul Vincent in May 2010 of Aldrich’s inappropriate behavior. Vincent said he asked mental skills coach James Gary to follow up with players and management.

Vincent was called to a meeting with Bowman, then team president John McDonough, director of hockey Al MacIsaac and Gary the next day, according to TSN, who reported asking the team to report the allegations to police in Chicago, and the request was denied.

Vincent said he supported everything he told TSN.

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