Chicago Blackhawks apologize to Kyle Beach for dismissing sexual assault allegations

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The Chicago Blackhawks apologized to former minor league affiliate Kyle Beach this week for speaking contemptuously about his allegation that he was sexually assaulted by Brad Aldrich, a former video coach for the team. The apology comes after an independent investigation found team officials mishandled Beach’s allegations, resulting in a $ 2 million fine from the National Hockey League.

Beach, who was known as “John Doe” in the report, alleges that Aldrich sexually assaulted him in May 2010, after being selected as a replacement for the team’s playoff run. NHL. Aldrich told the law firm investigating the allegation the interaction was consensual and denied assaulting Beach.

Although the report criticizes the way the team handled the allegation, concluding that officials waited until the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup to refer the matter to human resources and allow Aldrich to resign without investigation, it did said there was no evidence the team owners knew of the allegation. The report notes that it’s not clear how much team officials knew about the nature of Beach’s claims.

Tuesday’s statement said the case was brought to the attention of CEO Danny Wirtz and his father, team owner Rocky Wirtz, in 2020, when Beach’s attorney contacted the team about the matter. of a possible civil lawsuit.

At that time, “the Wirtz family relied on information provided by then advisers and human resources at the time that this matter had been properly investigated and resolved in 2010 based on their review, “the statement read. “When the lawsuit was filed and additional allegations and information made public through media reports, the property commissioned an independent investigation.”

“We apologize to Kyle Beach for previously saying his allegations’ lack merit”, “the team added, apparently referring to a statement made to Chicago radio station WBEZ after Beach filed his lawsuit civil in May 2021. “It’s clear now that our organization has done it. not doing the right thing.”

The Philadelphia Flyers and Chicago Blackhawks in Game 4 of the 2010 NHL Stanley Cup Final. Len Redkoles / NHLI via Getty Images

The Blackhawks won the final that year, winning the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1961. Meanwhile, “Aldrich continued to work and travel with the team” and celebrated the Stanley Cup victory in Beach presence, according to the report.

“It is clear that in 2010 the leaders of this organization put the performance of the team above all else,” said Danny Wirtz the day the investigation was made public. “John Doe deserved better from the Blackhawks.

Beach, who identified himself publicly shortly after the investigation was made public, told “CBS Mornings” last week that “it’s important to share my story because it’s so much bigger than Kyle Beach “.

“Yes, I am a survivor, but there are millions of people in this world who have been affected by sexual abuse or assault, and I am now speaking out to hopefully give them a voice, their empowering to come forward so that we can make a change in this world and hopefully make it a safer place in sport but also in work and life and in everyday life, ”he said .

Following the release of the report, the National Hockey League fined the Blackhawks $ 2 million for “inadequate internal procedures and insufficient and late response.” General manager and president of hockey operations Stan Bowman has resigned, as have several other officials named in the report.

On Monday, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman apologized to Beach for his experience and congratulated him on his bravery. “I admire Kyle Beach for his courage to come forward, I am dismayed that he was so poorly supported during his initial request and for the 11 years that followed, and I am sorry for all he has. endured, ”Bettman said.

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