Former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach was featured here during the 2008 pre-season NHL hockey game in Dallas.
Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
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Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
Former Chicago Blackhawks player Kyle Beach was featured here during the 2008 pre-season NHL hockey game in Dallas.
Tony Gutierrez / Associated Press
The Chicago Blackhawks have settled a lawsuit filed by a former player who says he was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup championship season.
Representatives for the Blackhawks and their former player, Kyle Beach, met for the first time on Wednesday to mediate a settlement that led to a secret settlement between the two sides.
“The Blackhawks hope that this resolution will bring some measure of peace and closure to Mr. Beach,” the hockey team’s attorney said in a statement.
“As for the Blackhawks, we remain steadfast in our commitment to ensuring that going forward, this team will be a beacon of professionalism, respect, and integrity in our community.” their statement added. “We remain grateful for the trust and support of the Blackhawks community, and we promise to continue working every day to earn and maintain that trust.”
Beach originally filed the lawsuit in May as unnamed John Doe, saying the organization mishandled his sexual assault allegations. In October, he went public as the man behind the lawsuit.
In an emotional TV interview, Beach reveals details of his attack, how the team treated him, and the feelings of his attack. Beach was 20 years old when she was attacked.
According to his allegation, Beach complained to team leadership in 2010 that assistant coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him. Blackhawks senior management ignored his complaints until after the team won the Stanley Cup that season.
Beach’s lawsuit forces an independent investigation confirmed your request. After the report was released, the team fired two top officials there at the time: Blackhawks General Manager Stan Bowman and senior vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac.
Additionally, Joel Quenneville, the Blackhawks coach at the time Beach was attacked, has resigned from his job with the Florida Panthers. The National Hockey League also fined Chicago $2 million.
NPR reporter Jonathan Franklin contributed to this report.
