The Chicago Blackhawks have reached a settlement in a second lawsuit filed by a former player, who alleged negligence in the handling of sexual assault allegations against then-video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010. The lawsuit was filed in 2023 in Cook County Court, Illinois. The firm Romanucci & Blandin, which filed the lawsuit, identified “John Doe” as a “Black Ace”, a prospect who joins an NHL team as a reserve player for the postseason, during Chicago’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup Final. The lawsuit listed 15 counts of negligence. The lawsuit alleged that Doe was targeted by Aldrich, who “used his authority as a coach to groom, harass, threaten, and assault John Doe for sexual gratification.” Doe’s lawsuit accused the Blackhawks of “utter indifference and/or conscious disregard for the safety of its employees” for failing to take action when informed of Aldrich’s actions. The lawsuit claimed that Doe suffered injuries and damages, including “great bodily and mental pain.” Both parties issued separate statements confirming that an agreement had been reached with Doe, but the terms of the agreement were not disclosed. Doe was the second former Blackhawks player that season to file a lawsuit against the team and reach a settlement. Forward Kyle Beach filed a lawsuit alleging he was sexually assaulted by Aldrich and that the organization’s senior management postponed any action until after the Stanley Cup was awarded that season. He 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 spent time in prison and is now registered as a sex offender. A trial date was set for October 27th for John Doe’s lawsuit before the settlement. Beach’s complaint inspired 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 for 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. “Furthermore, each has made significant progress in self-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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