USA Hockey president under investigation for mishandling of sexual abuse allegations

The U.S. Center of SafeSport is officially investigating USA Hockey president Jim Smith's handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse against a youth hockey coach. Smith was the president of the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI) from 1985-88 when Tom “Chico” Adrahtas allegedly sexually abused junior hockey players.

One of the junior hockey team owners at the time says he reported his belief that Adrahtas was sexually abusing players to Smith in 1988, while a former AHAI board member and several others have said that they believe that Smith was aware of the allegations against Adrahtas.

Smith denied that the owner spoke to him and released a statement via his spokesman earlier this month, where he said, “In my time as president of AHAI, there were no reports alleging misconduct by Tom Adrahtas.”

“The U.S. Center for SafeSport has advised us they have taken jurisdiction and are investigating allegations that people within AHAI, including Jim Smith, were aware of sexual misconduct by Thomas Adrahtas and did not take action,” said USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher via a spokesperson.

In 2010, a player sent a letter to the AHAI where he said that he was sexually abused by Adrahtas. After not showing up to the hearing meant to address the allegation, Adrahtas was banned from the AHAI but continued coaching at Robert Morris University for the next eight seasons. It is not currently known if the AHAI informed RMU about allegations against Adrahtas.

Kelleher announced that "a committee of USA Hockey directors who are outside and independent of AHAI" will be conducting an investigation "to consider allegations related to governance and operation of the affiliate, including conflicts of interest, lack of financial transparency and handling of complaints by members, as well as other issues that may arise during the process."

Additionally, USA Hockey is "retaining the services of an independent third-party investigator to determine if Jim Smith has had inappropriate business relationships or conflicts of interest with AHAI.”