Bettman on Blackhawks Assault Allegations: First Reaction Was “Tell Me the Facts”

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NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said allegations that a former Chicago Blackhawks player was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach at the time are concerning. But his first thought was, “Tell me the facts.

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman said allegations that a former Chicago Blackhawks player was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach at the time are concerning.

But his first thought was, “Tell me the facts.

Speaking during the league’s annual media availability ahead of Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Final on Monday, Bettman said he learned “relatively recently” of the allegations.

Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly added that the NHL had been briefed by general counsel for the Blackhawks.

Chicago has hired a former federal prosecutor to conduct an independent review of the allegations, which come after two lawsuits were filed against the club.

The former alleges sexual assault by former assistant coach Bradley Aldrich during the team’s 2010 run that ended in a Stanley Cup triumph, while the latter was filed by former student Aldrich has been convicted of assault in Michigan.

Athletic was the first to report the news from the independent review. None of the allegations have been tested in court.

“The reaction every time you hear such allegations is concerning, but my first reaction is, ‘Tell me the facts,'” Bettman said during the virtual press conference at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. “Once we know what the facts are, we ‘are in a better position to assess what can or should not be done.”

Bettman declined to say whether the findings of the investigation by law firm Jenner & Block LLP which he said had no connection to the league or the team would be made public, instead reserving his judgment until his conclusion.

Asked about the sanction that could be imposed, Bettman said, “All options are available.”

The unidentified former Blackhawk alleges that Aldrich sexually assaulted him and Chicago did nothing when he informed a now retired employee.

After leaving the Original Six franchise, Aldrich was convicted in 2013 of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct in Michigan involving a college student.

The Blackhawks’ inaction allowed Aldrich to go on and attack the Michigan student, and possibly others, said Susan Loggans, the former player’s lawyer.

“This man’s entire life has been destroyed,” Loggans told Chicago public radio station WBEZ. “These professional athletes have to perform at the top of their game at all times to be competitive, and these things are really debilitating.”

The lawsuit, filed May 7 in Cook County Circuit Court, alleges that Aldrich also assaulted another unidentified Blackhawks player.

According to TSN, two Chicago players told then-skills coach Paul Vincent of Aldrich’s inappropriate behavior in May 2010.

Vincent told TSN he urged team leaders, including team president John McDonough and general manager Stan Bowman, to report the allegations to Chicago Police, but his request was denied.

“I feel a weight has been taken off of me,” Vincent told TSN. “I will stand up in court and say what happened. I know what the team did to cover this up and come forward was the right thing to do.”

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin, then director of player personnel for the Blackhawks, said on Sunday before his team traveled to Tampa to face the Lightning in the final that he was unaware of the allegations during his time with the club.

A lawyer for Aldrich told WBEZ that his client denies the allegations in the lawsuit.

The eight-page lawsuit alleges that Aldrich, then a video trainer for the Blackhawks, “turned on porn and began to masturbate in front of” the player without his consent. He alleges that Aldrich also threatened to injure the player “physically, financially and emotionally” if he “did not engage in sexual activity” with him.

In a statement to WBEZ in May, team spokesman Adam Rogowin said the Blackhawks were confident they “would be absolved of any wrongdoing.”

Strewn with questions on the matter at his press conference on Monday, Bettman stressed the need for patience.

“What we know is based on what is public,” said the commissioner. “That is why we are going to be interested to see what the investigation reveals and does not reveal. Not everyone should come forward. These are allegations that relate to a period of time that goes back some time. , and sometimes it takes a little while to piece things together.

“When we have all the information, we will do what is necessary and appropriate.”

OLYMPIC QUESTION POINT

It seemed almost certain that the NHL would return to the Olympics after coming to an agreement on a return-to-play plan and an extension of the collective agreement that paved the way for the conclusion of the pandemic-hit 2019-20 season.

Now things look a lot less certain for Beijing 2022.

“It’s still a work in progress,” Daly said. “Time is running out. I hope we have a solution soon.”

In addition to worrying about travel during the COVID-19 pandemic, the league has always viewed the Olympics as unnecessarily disrupting its schedule, but participated from 1998 to 2014.

The NHL skipped the 2018 Games, but has agreed with the players to work on a return in 2022 and 2026.

“We have real concerns about whether it’s reasonable or not,” Bettman said. “We promised that if everything could be sorted out, we would accept it.

“But we’re concerned with both the timing right now and the open issues and prospects of actually being there.”

REF IN THE SPOTLIGHT

Bettman went out of his way to congratulate the NHL referees in his opening speech following growing criticism of offenses missed or ignored throughout the playoffs.

“They are the best officials of all sports,” he said. “Our officials have the most difficult game to officiate because no sport can match the speed and fraction of a second reaction time required.”

Bettman added that the style of play differs from the regular season to the playoffs “and that has a clear impact on how officiating is viewed.”

“When you watch it on TV and play it back, or watch it about 100 feet from the ice, you get a wider view,” he said. “You have to watch it from the point of view of the officials on the ice and what they see in real time.

“I wouldn’t downplay the difficulty of this task.”

BEST MEMORIES OF ’93

Bettman has presented the Stanley Cup 27 times since becoming commissioner.

Everyone is special, but their first Montreal title and Canada’s last title in 1993 are still on the mind.

“I remember that night in 1993 like it was yesterday,” Bettman said. “It was exciting, it was compelling.

“It was, dare I say, overwhelming.”

-With files from The Associated Press.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on June 28, 2021.

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Follow @JClipperton_CP on Twitter

Joshua Clipperton, The Canadian Press

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