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 Brad Aldrich, who was a video coach in 2010. The lawsuit, filed in 2023 in Cook County Court (Illinois), was filed by Romanucci & Blandin. The plaintiff, identified as “John Doe”, was a “Black Ace” during the Blackhawks’ run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. The lawsuit included 15 counts of negligence. The lawsuit alleged that Aldrich “used his authority as a coach to harass, threaten, and assault John Doe for sexual gratification.” The Blackhawks were accused of “utter indifference and/or conscious disregard for the safety of their employees” by failing to take action against Aldrich’s actions. Doe claimed to have suffered damages, including “great physical and mental pain.” Both parties issued statements confirming the agreement with Doe, but the terms of the agreement were not disclosed.This is the second former Blackhawks player from that season to file a lawsuit and reach a settlement. Previously, Kyle Beach filed a similar lawsuit, accusing Aldrich of sexual assault and alleging that the organization’s management delayed action until after the Stanley Cup. 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 in Michigan. He served time in prison and is currently registered as a sex offender. Before the agreement, a trial date had been set for John Doe’s lawsuit for October 27. Beach’s complaint led to an independent review conducted 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, coach of 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.
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