Blackhawks GM Bowman Out Following Sexual Assault Investigation

CHICAGO — Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has “stepped aside” following the release of an independent investigation that determined that team executives put team success a bigger priority than dealing with allegations into the sexual assault of a former player by the team's then video coach during the team's run to the 2010 Stanley Cup championship.

Over four months, independent investigators determined that Bowman, along with other front office executives, including then-team President John McDonough and former coach Joel Quenneville, did little to address the allegations of a player who filed suit against the Hawks earlier this year.

At the time, the front office elected to focus on the team and its chase of a Stanley Cup championship, rather than address the allegations levied against a former video coach, Brad Aldrich, according to an 108-page report released publicly on Tuesday.

Aldrich, who is now a registered sex offender in Michigan after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a high school player there, sexually assaulted "John Doe" in May 2010 and threatened that if the player said anything of the encounter, Aldrich would see to it that it would cost the minor league player any shot at playing in the NHL.

That decision not to act ultimately cost Bowman, who was in his first year as general manager at the time of the incident, and left his position following the release of the report.

"The team needs to focus on its future, and my continued participation would be a distraction. I think too much of this organization to let that happen," Bowman said in a statement issued by the team Tuesday.

"Eleven years ago, while serving in my first year as general manager, I was made aware of potential inappropriate behavior by a then-video coach involving a player. I promptly reported the matter to the then-President and CEO who committed to handling the matter. I learned this year that the inappropriate behavior involved a serious allegation of sexual assault. I relied on the direction of my superior that he would take appropriate action. Looking back, now knowing he did not handle the matter promptly, I regret assuming he would do so."

Bowman has also resigned as the general manager of the U.S. Olympic hockey team. The Blackhawks announced that the team's vice president of hockey strategy and analytics Kyle Davidson will serve as interim general manager while a search for Bowman's replacement is conducted.

The Blackhawks were also fined $2 million by the NHL for “inadequate internal procedures and insufficient and untimely response” in handling Aldrich’s departure from the team, the league said. One million dollars will go toward providing funding for Chicago-area organizations that provide counseling and support for survivors of sexual abuse and other forms of abuse.

In a news conference Tuesday, former U.S. Attorney Reid Schar — now a partner at the Chicago law firm Jenner & Block — said that the team violated its own sexual harassment policy by not reporting the allegations which came to light in late May, 2010, Schar said. After the Hawks defeated the Philadelphia Flyers to capture the Stanley Cup, the allegations of the incident was finally reported to the team's human resources department on July 14.

Hawks owner and chairman Rocky Wirtz said Tuesday that the ownership was troubled to learn about the allegations, which he said that he did not know about until the lawsuit was filed by "John Doe" earlier this year. At the time of the incident, "Doe" was a 20-year-old member of the Rockford Ice Hogs, who was called up to the Blackhawks as a "Black Ace", a player who practices with the team and who would be used in emergency situations.

Wirtz said had he and others known about the matter, "we certainly would not be standing here today," Wirtz said.

Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz said that team officials and Bowman agreed it was best for him to step aside following the release of the report. Wirtz said that he and other team officials believe that had the incident occurred in 2021, "the Stan that I know and that we know" would have acted differently and had a "louder voice" in addressing the allegations, Danny Wirtz said.

Wirtz said that none of the current Blackhawks employees who were part of the team's response to the incident will be employed by the team moving forward. In addition to Bowman, Quenneville and McDonough, Blackhawks executive vice president Jay Blunk, vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, assistant general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and mental skills coach James Gary were part of the May 23 meeting when the decision was made not to address the allegations ahead of the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

NHL Commissioner said Tuesday that he will meet with Quenneville, now the coach of the Florida Panthers, and Cheveldayoff, the general manager of the Winnipeg Jets, to discuss their futures.

"We talk a lot about hockey culture," Danny Wirtz said Tuesday. "I believe one of the beautiful parts of our game is the focus on team success over Individual achievements and accolades. But that cannot come at the expense of individual safety and well-being. It is clear that in 2010, the executives of this organization put team performance above all else. John Doe deserved better from the Blackhawks."

Wirtz said he has instructed the team's legal department to see if it can reach a fair resolution with John Doe that is "consistent with the totality of the circumstances."

In a statement issued through his attorney, "John Doe" thanked the accountability from the Rocky and Danny Wirtz as well as the Blackhawks organization.

“Although nothing can truly change the detriment to my life over the past decade because of the actions of one man inside the Blackhawks organization, I am very grateful to have the truth be recognized, and I look forward to continuing the long journey to recovery," the statement from John Doe read.

In a letter sent to fans on Tuesday, Blackhawks officials acknowledged that the ownership's trust was "shaken" when it learned how the front office handled the allegations of sexual assault 11 years ago.

"It is clear the organization and its executives at that time did not live up to our own standards or values in handling these disturbing incidents," the Blackhawks wrote in the letter. "We deeply regret the harm caused to John Doe and the other individuals who were affected and the failure to promptly respond. As an organization, we extend our profound apologies to the individuals who suffered from these experiences. We must – and will – do better."

In outlining the investigation on Tuesday, Schar said that investigators interviewed 139 people, including current players and front office employees. In addition, 14 members of the 2010 team were interviewed, as were five of the nine Black Aces who were called by the Hawks in 2010.

Schar said that the firm's final report is disturbing and difficult to read as it outlines details of the allegations brought by "John Doe". The victim was among those who were interviewed by investigators and said that the inappropriate actions by Aldrich began on May 8 or 9 when he and Aldrich engaged in a sexual encounter.

While Aldrich maintained the encounter was consensual, John Doe said it was not and also said that at least one other member of the Black Aces received a sexually explicit text message from Aldrich, none of which was ever fully investigated after Aldrich resigned.

The investigation, which was commissioned by the Hawks, also showed that after the Hawks captured the Stanley Cup title, Aldrich made an unwanted sexual advance toward a 22-year-old intern — all while continuing to participate in team celebrations, including hosting the Stanley Cup in his hometown. He also received a championship ring and received a $15,000 playoff bonus, according to the report.

After the matter was turned over to the team's Human Resources department in mid-June, Aldrich – who started with the Hawks in 2008 – chose to resign rather than go through an investigation.

No investigation was ever conducted, Schar said.

"What is clear is that after being informed of Aldrich's alleged sexual harassment and misconduct with the player, no action was taken for three weeks," Schar said, adding. "Nothing was done by other senior officials and as a result, the Blackhawks own sexual harassment policy, which required investigation of all reports of all sexual harassment to be conducted promptly and thoroughly, was violated."

"The failure to promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter and the decision to take no action from May 23 to June 14 had consequences."

Danny Wirtz said Tuesday that he believes the team is a much different franchise than it was in 2010 and not in terms of wins and losses. The Hawks, who have gone winless in their first six games of the season, have made sweeping changes in how it addresses allegations of misconduct, Wirtz said, and will continue to review its policies of how such matters are handled.

In his statement announcing his departure from the general manager role, Bowman thanked the Wirtz family for "their tremendous support" and said he will always cherish his time with the Blackhawks, whom, he said, will act accordingly moving forward.

"I am confident that this organization and the Wirtz family will continue to do what it takes to win championships with integrity," Bowman said, "and with the goal of doing what is right."