Stan Bowman resigns from Chicago Blackhawks following investigation

Stan Bowman has “stepped aside” as General Manager of the Chicago Blackhawks, according to Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, in the wake of an investigation into the organizational cover-up of sexual assault allegations in 2010.

The Blackhawks had hired the law firm of Jenner & Block to investigate the allegations and the Blackhawks’ response. The full report can be found here.

ALLEGATIONS

The allegations centered around former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich. A former Blackhawks player filed a lawsuit in May, claiming that Aldrich had sexually assaulted him and another player. The player had informed the Blackhawks at the time and the organization did not take action against Aldrich.

The Blackhawks did not take action against Aldrich, allowing him to resign and still get his day to celebrate with the Stanley Cup. The team allegedly gave him positive references for his next position at a school in Michigan. In 2013, Aldrich was convicted of fourth degree criminal sexual conduct with a student.

Stan Bowman, who was GM for Chicago’s Stanley Cup victories in 2010, 2013, and 105, is not the only one losing their job over this. Anyone involved in the Blackhawks front office in 2010 that was aware will no longer be with the team. That does leave some question regarding two of the people alleged to have been in one of the meetings to discuss the issue.

Schar said John McDonough, Stan Bowman, Al MacIsaac, Kevin Cheveldayoff, Jay Blunk and Joel Quenneville were all informed of the allegations on May 23. "Accounts of that meeting vary signficantly."

— Mark Lazerus (@MarkLazerus) October 26, 2021

Investigation found Bowman, MacIsaac, McDonough, Jay Blunk, Kevin Cheveldayoff and Joel Quenneville and James Gary met in May 2010 to discuss Aldrich's alleged assault and took no action for 3 weeks.

One witness said the decision was left in McDonough's hands, Schar says.

— Ben Pope (@BenPopeCST) October 26, 2021

Joel Quenneville, who was head coach of those three Blackhawks Stanley Cup teams is now the head coach of the Florida Panthers. Kevin Cheveldayoff is now GM of the Winnipeg Jets. Both have denied any knowledge of the incident in question. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman has announced that he will meet with Quenneville and Cheveldayoff in the near future and will, “”reserve judgement on next steps, if any, with respect to them.”

The National Hockey League has fined the Blackhawks “$2 million for Inadequate Procedures and Mishandling of the 2010 Matter Related to the Conduct of Former Video Coach Brad Aldrich”.

Kyle Davidson, who was the Vice President, Hockey Strategy & Analytics, has been named interim GM while the Blackhawks look for Bowman’s replacement.

To anyone who wonders why players don't report, why they don't speak up, why disclosures can be delayed by years and even decades, this is why.

John Doe disclosed allegations of sexual abuse to people in positions of power & authority who he trusted. This was the response: https://t.co/hkG8XPZMCZ

— Katie Strang (@KatieJStrang) October 26, 2021

I asked how John Doe 1 is feeling today.
His response: "I am very grateful to have the truth recognised… I know I am not the only victim in this world of sexual abuse & I hope my story can inspire change within the NHL, and around the world… I am still speechless." pic.twitter.com/c3pIdnTAvm

— Rick Westhead (@rwesthead) October 26, 2021

The full press conference can be seen here.