Blackhawks GM resigns after sex assault investigation into team; Jets’ Cheveldayoff named in report

Stan Bowman has resigned as common supervisor of the Chicago Blackhawks following the discharge of the findings of an investigation into allegations that an assistant coach sexually assaulted a participant in 2010.

The Blackhawks employed Jenner & Block to conduct what they referred to as an unbiased evaluate in response to 2 lawsuits filed in opposition to the franchise: one alleging sexual assault by then-assistant coach Brad Aldrich throughout the workforce’s Stanley Cup run in 2010 and one other filed by a former pupil whom Aldrich was convicted of assaulting in Michigan.

Crew CEO Danny Wirtz referred to as the report “each disturbing and tough to learn,” and the NHL fined the workforce $2 million for mishandling the accusations.

“At present’s wonderful represents a direct and essential response to the failure of the membership to observe up and deal with the 2010 incident in a well timed and acceptable method,” Commissioner Gary Bettman mentioned in a press release.

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“The report makes clear that senior administration’s dealing with of the alleged incident included a failure to report the matter to Chicago possession, each as to what was alleged and the way it was being dealt with.”

Bowman mentioned he was stepping apart as a result of he didn’t need to be a distraction for the workforce.

“Eleven years in the past, whereas serving in my first yr as common supervisor, I used to be made conscious of potential inappropriate conduct by a then-video coach involving a participant,” he mentioned in a press release launched by the workforce. “I promptly reported the matter to the then-President and CEO who dedicated to dealing with the matter.

“I realized this yr that the inappropriate conduct concerned a critical allegation of sexual assault. I relied on the course of my superior that he would take acceptable motion. Wanting again, now realizing he didn’t deal with the matter promptly, I remorse assuming he would accomplish that.”

Former federal prosecutor Reid Schar, who ran the investigation, mentioned Tuesday that Bowman, former workforce president John McDonough, hockey operations govt Al MacIsaac, former govt vice chairman Jay Blunk and then-assistant common supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff met with then-coach Joel Quenneville and psychological abilities coach Jim Gary to debate the allegations in Might 2010.

Schar mentioned accounts of the assembly “fluctuate considerably.”

“What is evident is that after being knowledgeable of Aldrich’s alleged sexual harassment and misconduct with a participant no motion was taken for 3 weeks,” Schar mentioned.

Quenneville is the top coach of the Florida Panthers and Cheveldayoff is the GM of the Winnipeg Jets.

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There was no fast phrase from both workforce on their standing. Bettman mentioned he would “reserve judgment” on Quenneville and Cheveldayoff and plans to satisfy with them to debate their roles within the scenario.

Cheveldayoff had mentioned in a press release launched by the Jets in July that he “had no information of any allegations involving Mr. Aldrich till requested if I used to be conscious of something simply previous to the conclusion of his employment with the Chicago Blackhawks.”

International Information has reached out to the Winnipeg Jets for remark and is awaiting a response from the hockey membership.

USA Hockey didn’t instantly have any touch upon Bowman’s standing as GM for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Aldrich left the Blackhawks after the 2009-10 season.

A former participant mentioned Aldrich assaulted him, and that the workforce did nothing after he knowledgeable an worker.

The lawsuit, filed Might 7 in Cook dinner County Circuit Courtroom, alleges Aldrich additionally assaulted one other unidentified Blackhawks participant. The previous participant who sued and is searching for greater than $150,000 in damages is referred within the doc as “John Doe.”

The eight-page lawsuit says Aldrich, then a video coach for the Blackhawks, “turned on porn and started to masturbate in entrance of” the participant with out his consent. It says Aldrich additionally threatened to “bodily, financially and emotionally” harm the participant if he “didn’t interact in sexual exercise” with him.

Aldrich was sentenced to 9 months in jail for the Michigan assault.

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