Blackhawks Settle Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit
The Chicago Blackhawks have reached a settlement in a second lawsuit filed by a former player. This case involves allegations of negligence in the handling of sexual assault allegations against then-video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 in the Circuit Court of Cook County (Illinois), was brought by Romanucci & Blandin. The plaintiff, identified as “John Doe”, was a “Black Ace”, a reserve player who joins an NHL team for the postseason, during the Blackhawks’ run to the Stanley Cup Final in 2010. The lawsuit included 15 counts of negligence. The lawsuit alleged that Doe was harassed by Aldrich, who “used his authority as a coach to manipulate, harass, threaten, and assault John Doe to obtain sexual gratification.” Doe accused the Blackhawks of “utter indifference and/or conscious disregard for the safety of their employees” by failing to take action against Aldrich’s actions. The lawsuit claimed that Doe suffered injuries and damages, including “great physical and mental pain.” Both parties issued separate statements confirming the agreement with Doe, but the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.Doe is the second former Blackhawks player that season to file a lawsuit against the team and reach a settlement. Forward Kyle Beach filed a similar lawsuit, alleging sexual assault by Aldrich and that the organization’s senior management delayed any action until after the Stanley Cup was awarded that season. Beach reached a settlement with the team in 2021.
The Blackhawks allowed Aldrich to resign in 2010. In 2013, Aldrich pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a 16-year-old high school hockey player he coached in Michigan. He served a prison sentence and is currently registered as a sex offender. Before the agreement, a trial date had been set for John Doe’s lawsuit on October 27. Beach’s complaint inspired an independent review by the law firm Jenner & Block, in which Doe participated as “Black Ace 1.” That investigation resulted in a $2 million fine for the Blackhawks from the NHL due to their “inadequate internal procedures and an insufficient and untimely response.” Stan Bowman, president of hockey operations and general manager of the Blackhawks, and Al MacIsaac, senior director of hockey administration, resigned in October 2021. Joel Quenneville, who coached the Blackhawks in 2010, resigned as coach of the Florida Panthers in October 2021 after a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. The three executives were reinstated by the NHL in July 2024.Bowman was hired by the Edmonton Oilers as general manager in July 2024. Quenneville was named coach of the Anaheim Ducks in May 2025.While it is clear that, at the time, their responses were unacceptable, each of these three individuals has acknowledged that and has used their time away from the game to engage in activities that not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what happened, but also evidence a greater awareness of the responsibilities of all NHL personnel, particularly personnel in leadership positions,” the NHL said in a statement in July 2024. “In addition, each has made significant progress in personal improvement by participating in a myriad of programs, many of which focused on the imperative to respond effectively and meaningfully to address the alleged acts of abuse.
NHL
