WARNING: This story contains distressing details
A former hockey player in the Chicago NHL team’s organization has alleged in a lawsuit the team’s former video coach sexually assaulted him during the 2009-10 season and the team responded inadequately to his complaint because it didn’t want a disruption during its Stanley Cup run.
The Chicago Tribune reported Sunday the law firm of Romanucci & Blandin filed the lawsuit Thursday on behalf of their client, listed as “John Doe,” in Cook County Circuit Court. The Associated Press was unable to reach a representative from the law firm.
The newspaper reported the plaintiff was a member of the Chicago team’s so-called Black Aces squad, which was made up of minor-league players who travelled with the NHL team during the playoffs to fill in in case of injuries.
One of the player’s Black Aces teammates was Kyle Beach, who reached a settlement with the team in December 2021 after alleging he was sexually assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich.
The lawsuit filed last week raises similar allegations against Aldrich and said the team showed “utter indifference and/or conscious disregard for the safety of its employees, including John Doe.”
The NHL team, in a statement to the Tribune, declined to comment on the specifics of the latest lawsuit. It said it takes allegations of workplace misconduct seriously and noted that two years ago the team initiated an independent investigation into the events of 2010.
“We’ve changed as a result of what happened and implemented numerous positive improvements throughout our organization to ensure the safety and well-being of our players and employees,” the team said.
“This includes completely rebuilding the leadership team with personnel who demonstrate our values and bring the right subject matter expertise in the critical areas of compliance and human resources, an expansive mental health program, and new reporting mechanisms and training for all employees.”
Featured VideoThe Chicago NHL team’s decision to delay taking action after a sexual assault allegation was made against a video coach has led to the resgination of the team’s general manager, a $2-million fine and questions about what needs to happen to other team officials who didn’t act sooner.
Attorney Antonio Romanucci told the Tribune that the lawsuit seeks to ensure teams remain accountable.
“We have a specific mission in mind, certainly that the [Chicago NHL team] remains accountable for the changes that they have promised that they have put in place with regard to prevention of these sexual abuses,” he said. “But we also want to make sure that all teams around the country are on notice that this is not acceptable behaviour. Putting winning before the mental health or even physical health of players, that’s over. Hard stop.”
Suit says Aldrich threatened player
The lawsuit filed last week alleges Aldrich invited Black Aces players to his home under the guise of discussing hockey strategy but later attempted to make players watch pornographic movies with him. Aldrich is accused of offering to perform oral sex on “John Doe” and of approaching him from behind and pushing his penis against the back and buttocks of “Doe” through his clothes.
Aldrich allegedly used threats to dissuade the player from reporting Aldrich’s alleged conduct.
Aldrich in December 2013 pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct in a case involving a 16-year-old high school hockey player in Michigan. Prosecutors dropped a felony count. Aldrich was released from jail in 2014.
Support is available for anyone who has been sexually assaulted through crisis lines and local support services via this Government of Canada website or the Ending Violence Association of Canada database. If you’re in immediate danger or fear for your safety or that of others around you, please call 911.