Blackhawks Hire Independent Investigator Into Sexual Assault Claims Against Former Video Coach Brad Aldrich
CHICAGO (CBS Chicago/CBS Sports) -- The Chicago Blackhawks have hired an independent investigator to review allegations that then-video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted two players on the 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team.
Two lawsuits have been filed against the Blackhawks and Aldrich.
According to The Athletic, two players reported to the abuse allegations to skills coach Paul Vincent, who informed then-team President John McDonough and General Manager Stan Bowman.
Vincent told TSN that he asked the team to report the allegations to Chicago Police, and that request was denied.
Aldrich left the Blackhawks after the 2010 season. As The Athletic reported, he went on to join the coaching staff of a boys' team in Houghton, Michigan.
Aldrich was convicted of criminal sexual conduct in October 2013 in a case involving a 17-year-old player, and is a registered sex offender in the state after nine months in prison and five years probation, as CBS Sports reported earlier this month.
Court records show that an unnamed ex-Blackhawks player accuses the organization of serving as a reference for Aldrich during his future employment search, which led to him getting the job at that high school.
Commissioner Gary Bettman says the NHL is waiting before doing their own investigation.
"Well, it's being done independently by a law firm that's been retained. We're satisfied that the retention has been appropriate, and in the first instance, we're going to wait and see what the results are from this investigation," Bettman said. "Whenever you hear allegations like that are concerning, but my first reaction is tell me the facts, and once we know what the facts are, we're in a better position to evaluate what may or may not need to be done."