Blackhawks, Attorney Agree To Mediation In Sexual Assault Cases

CHICAGO — The Chicago Blackhawks and the attorney for former prospect suing the team over allegations that a former video coach sexually assaulted him in 2010 have mutually agreed to enter mediation to settle the matter.

The two sides issued a joint statement on Tuesday saying that they are working together to achieve a fair resolution outside of the litigation progress. Attorney Susan Loggans is representing both Kyle Beach, the former Hawks first-round draft pick, as well as a former Michigan high school hockey player identified only as John Doe 2, who is also suing the Blackhawks over the actions of former video coach Brad Aldrich.

The statement issued Tuesday stated that that the two sides have agreed to enter mediation with a mutually agreed-upon third-party mediator. The mediation will begin on Dec. 15, the statement said, and “will engage in good faith efforts to resolve these matters.

The Blackhawks had previously been seeking to have the cases dismissed. The franchise said that the suit brought by Beach last spring was “without merit” before the team commissioned Chicago law firm Jenner and Block to conduct an independent investigation.

The 107-page report detailed how many members of the Hawks organization was aware of the allegations made by Beach against Aldrich and chose to do nothing for three weeks while the Hawks finished out their 2010 Stanley Cup championship run.

Hawks chairman Rocky Wirtz and CEO Danny Wirtz said in video call with reporters after the release of the report that they felt it was part of their moral obligation to make things right with Beach, who identified himself as the formerly unnamed player in the report. However, in an email to Patch last week, Loggans wrote that the Hawks refused to make an offer to settle both cases.

“(The Blackhawks) wanted our opening demand and I told them I would consider mediation which they want, after I heard their opening offer,” Loggans wrote in the email. “Otherwise there is nothing to mediate. They want to control this and play the power position just like they have all along. Where is their offer to start things off? Nowhere. (The) Wirtzs’ words were empty."

Loggans did not respond to a follow-up email seeking details of the financial offers that were made or what she was seeking from the Blackhawks.

The Chicago Tribune reported Tuesday that the Blackhawks reportedly balked at Loggans’ theory that Beach would have made $60 million in salary had his NHL career continued. Loggans told the Tribune that she would have to see how things go with Beach’s mediation before she turns her attention to the case involving John Doe 2.

Aldrich resigned after being given the option to resign or participate in an internal investigation into the allegations. Aldrich went on to coach high school hockey in Michigan and was convicted of sexual assault against the former Houghton, Mich., high school player that is now suing the Blackhawks. Aldrich is now a registered sex offender in Michigan.

The release of the report led to the resignations of now former Hawks general manager Stan Bowman as well as former Hawks coach Joel Quenneville, who was coaching the Florida Panthers. Both men, along with former Hawks President John McDonough and others discussed the allegations before the Stanley Cup Final and decided collectively not to do anything until after the playoffs were over, the report said.