Chicago Blackhawks executives who were suspended by the NHL for ignoring claims of sexual abuse are REINSTATED three years on
Three Chicago Blackhawks executives who were suspended after ignoring allegations of sexual abuse by former player Kyle Beach have been reinstated by the NHL.
Stan Bowman, the organization’s former general manager, Al MacIsaac, Chicago’s former senior VP of hockey operations, and Joel Quenneville, the team’s former head coach, are all now eligible to apply for jobs in the league again.
The NHL released a statement late Monday afternoon, coinciding with the first day of free agency.
“While it is clear that their responses at the time were unacceptable, each of these three individuals (Messrs. Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville) have acknowledged that and have used their time away from the sport to participate in activities that not only demonstrate sincere remorse for what occurred, but also demonstrate a heightened awareness of the responsibilities that all NHL personnel have, particularly those in positions of leadership,” the statement said.
They were suspended for their role in the cover-up of a sexual assault at Kyle Beach
In addition, each of them has made significant progress in personal improvement through participation in numerous programs, many of which have focused on the need to respond to perceived abuse in an effective and meaningful way.
“The League expects that they will continue this commitment with the NHL and/or one of our clubs in the future.”
The statement also said that while clubs can discuss employment opportunities with the three men, they will not be able to officially hire them until July 10.
On May 7, 2021, a former Blackhawks player — initially filed as John Doe, later revealed as Kyle Beach — accused former video coach Brad Aldrich of sexual abuse during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Beach also alleged that Aldrich threatened him physically, emotionally and financially.
Law firm Jenner & Block conducted a month-long investigation that revealed that executives met after the company’s Western Conference Finals victory over the San Jose Sharks to discuss the allegations.
However, the executives — including Bowman, MacIsaac and Quenneville — decided not to address the claims until after the Stanley Cup Finals. The report concluded that the issue was never raised again.
Aldrich was given the option to resign or be fired by the Blackhawks’ human resources director if the allegations were true. Aldrich chose to resign and was still allowed to participate in the celebrations after the Blackhawks won the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.
Brad Aldrich allegedly assaulted a student and was convicted of sexually assaulting a minor while working as an assistant coach at a high school in Houghton, Michigan
Following an investigation, the NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million after Beach came forward
Aldrich then worked for the University of Notre Dame and Miami University in Ohio before becoming an assistant coach at a high school in Houghton, Michigan.
He was accused of sexual abuse at Miami University and was later convicted of sexual contact with a minor at his high school job. Aldrich served nine months in prison and was required to register as a sex offender in the state of Michigan.
In October 2021, Kyle Beach gave an interview on SportsCentre in Canada and confirmed that he was John Doe. He talked about his experiences with the Blackhawks.
After the investigation was completed, Bowman and MacIsaac resigned from their positions with the team on October 26. Quenneville, then head coach of the Florida Panthers, also resigned two days later.
The Blackhawks were fined $2 million by the NHL following the investigation’s completion.
Beach and the Blackhawks reached a confidential settlement in December 2021.
In November 2023, another anonymous former Blackhawks prospect filed a negligence lawsuit against the Blackhawks for suppressing his complaints of sexual harassment and threats of physical harm by Aldrich during the 2010 playoffs.