Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff had “no prior knowledge” of Aldrich’s allegations

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Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff released a statement Thursday saying whether or not he was aware of allegations against former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich.

I was not aware of any allegations involving Mr. Aldrich until I was asked if I was aware of anything just before his employment with the Chicago Blackhawks ended, ”Cheveldayoff said. , via the statement issued by the team. “After confirming that I had no prior knowledge of anything, I had no further involvement. As this is a legal issue before the courts, I will not make any further comment; however, to the extent that I am contacted by investigators in this matter, I will cooperate to the best of my ability and knowledge.

Cheveldayoff was the assistant general manager of the Blackhawks, working under the direction of general manager Stan Bowman, from 2009 to 2011, when he left to take on the role of general manager in Winnipeg.

In a May 7 lawsuit filed at Cook Country Circuit Court, a former Blackhawks player said Aldrich sexually assaulted him and another unidentified Blackhawks player. Attempts to brief Blackhawks management, the player said, did not lead the organization to take legal action against Aldrich.

A second lawsuit has since been filed against the Blackhawks by a former Michigan student, saying the team provided positive references about Aldrich after his departure from the NHL club despite negative allegations made against him. . After leaving the Blackhawks, Aldrich was convicted in 2013 in Michigan of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct involving the student and is now on that state’s sex offender registry.

In June, the Blackhawks hired an outside firm to conduct an independent review of the allegations.

Bowman also spoke to the media earlier Thursday, his first time in public on the matter. Bowman said the organization takes the allegations “very seriously” and said the investigation would have its full cooperation.

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