Ex-Blackhawk on allegations: 'Front-office staff should be in jail'

Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports

Ex-Blackhawks player on sexual abuse allegations: 'Front-office staff should be in jail'

By Erin Walsh | Last updated 6/25/21

As details surrounding sexual abuse allegations against former Chicago video coach Brad Aldrich continue to emerge, former Blackhawks players are starting to speak out.

Aldrich is facing allegations of sexually assaulting and harassing two unnamed former players on the Blackhawks 2009-10 team.

In a story published by The Athletic, a former player on the 2010 Blackhawks Stanley Cup-winning team indicated that every player found out about the allegations against Aldrich during the Western Conference Finals of the playoffs that year against the San Jose Sharks.

"Every guy on the team knew about it," the anonymous player said. "Every single guy on the team knew."

Former defenseman Brent Sopel added in a tweet that the entire front-office staff should be in jail, saying that it's "disgusting" the NHL isn't doing anything about the allegations.

The front office staff should be in jail. The NHL is showing there true colours. Gary doesn’t care about anyone but himself. This is absolutely disgusting that the NHL is doing nothing
— Brent Sopel (@brent_sopel) June 25, 2021

A lawsuit filed against the Blackhawks alleges that the team knew about the incident in 2010 but still gave Aldrich recommendations for future employment. He was then able to secure a job in high school hockey after leaving the team and eventually pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student between the ages of 16 to 18 years old.

There are also allegations against the Blackhawks that suggest management knew about the abuse allegations against Aldrich during the 2010 postseason after team skills coach Paul Vincent met with Stan Bowman, John McDonough, Al MacIsaac and James Gary and did not report Aldrich to the Chicago Police.

Other reports this week state the incidents involving the former players and Aldrich were an "open secret" around the organization.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement to The Athletic that the league has been in contact with the Blackhawks regarding the matter and an official investigation has not yet been opened.

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