Taylor Wilder/NHLI via Getty Images

Blackhawks GM Stan Bowman Resigns After Brad Aldrich Investigation; CHI Fined $2M

Timothy Rapp

On Tuesday, the law firm Jenner & Block and the Chicago Blackhawks revealed the results of their investigation into 2010 sexual assault allegations made by a former player against then-video coach Brad Aldrich.

Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz, team CEO Danny Wirtz and Reid Schar, a partner at Jenner & Block and a former U.S. prosecutor, attended the press conference.

As a result of the investigation, general manager and president of hockey operations Stan Bowman and senior vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac each resigned:

Bowman, who has served as the team's general manager since July 2009, released the following statement Tuesday:

He is also stepping down from his duties with USA Hockey:

The NHL has fined the Blackhawks $2 million for "inadequate procedures and mishandling of 2010 matter related to conduct of former video coach Brad Aldrich," with $1 million going to fund Chicago organizations that provide support to those who have been abused:

"It is clear the organization and its executives at that time did not live up to our own standards or values in handling these disturbing incidents," the Blackhawks wrote in a statement. "We deeply regret the harm caused to John Doe and the other individuals who were affected and the failure to promptly respond. As an organization, we extend our profound apologies to the individuals who suffered from these experiences. We must—and will—do better." 

The Blackhawks were sued in May after a former player accused Aldrich of sexual assault in 2010, with the lawsuit adding that "Hawks management covered up the assault while quietly firing [Aldrich] that summer," per Ben Pope of the Chicago Sun-Times

A second lawsuit accused the Blackhawks of providing "recommendation letters for Aldrich to his future employers, including Miami University and later Houghton (Michigan) High School, where he assaulted a 16-year-old member of the boy’s hockey team."

An investigation into Aldrich's time as a coach at Miami (Ohio) University found that he sexually assaulted a hockey camp intern and an undergraduate student in 2012 after he resigned from the Blackhawks. 

   

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