A second member of the Chicago Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team has taken legal action against the organization, accusing them of concealing instances of sexual harassment and assault committed by their former video coach, Brad Aldrich. This player, referred to as “John Doe” in the lawsuit, was part of the Blackhawks’ developmental team known as the “Black Aces” during the 2009-2010 season, alongside his teammate Kyle Beach. In the lawsuit filed in Cook County Circuit Court, John Doe characterizes Aldrich as a “sexual predator” and alleges that the former coach groomed, harassed, threatened, and assaulted him during that season.
The Black Aces comprised Blackhawks prospects brought up from their minor league affiliate, the Rockford IceHogs, to potentially substitute for regular players during the playoffs. Kyle Beach had previously filed a similar lawsuit against the Blackhawks, resulting in a confidential settlement with the team in 2021.
John Doe’s lawsuit aligns with many of the sexual assault and harassment allegations made by Kyle Beach against Brad Aldrich. According to John Doe’s lawsuit, Aldrich’s misconduct escalated during the season. Specific claims in the lawsuit include Aldrich hosting Doe and others at his home to watch explicit content, offering his bedroom to a couple for sexual activity and intruding into their encounter, suggesting that Doe receive sexual favors from a masseuse while Aldrich watched, engaging in inappropriate physical contact with Doe, sending harassing texts, and using threats to manipulate Doe into not reporting Aldrich’s actions.
John Doe’s lawsuit holds the Blackhawks responsible for showing “utter indifference and/or conscious disregard for the safety of its employees” after Doe reported the incidents to the training and coaching staff. The lawsuit further states that John Doe has suffered physical and emotional injuries, as well as psychological distress and expenses for medical and psychological treatment, therapy, and counseling.
The lawsuit also notes that John Doe played a crucial role in the Jenner & Block investigation in 2021, which revealed that the team’s former general manager, Stan Bowman, and other executives failed to promptly investigate allegations of sexual assault by Aldrich in 2010. Bowman resigned following the publication of the investigation’s findings. The report disclosed that Aldrich had been allowed to resign after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010, with the option to either quit or face an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment and assault.
In response to John Doe’s lawsuit, the Blackhawks emphasized their commitment to addressing workplace misconduct and organizational response seriously.
They mentioned their extensive independent investigation into the events of 2010, which led to numerous improvements within the organization, such as rebuilding the leadership team, implementing mental health programs, new reporting mechanisms, and employee training. The team refrained from providing further comments pending the outcome of the ongoing litigation.
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