COACHING IS ABUSE

Opinion: Everyone in the NHL world failed Kyle Beach – and they still can't own up to it

Chris Korman

For The Win

The NHL continues to flub the handling of its sexual abuse scandal in new and astonishing ways.

It’s tragic that I have to point out, up there in the first paragraph, that this isn’t some sort of anomaly; powerful people in sports have made a habit of covering up this sort of abuse. This isn’t some outlier. It’s just the NHL’s turn.

Yet the supposed leaders in various leagues and conferences repeatedly show they have learned nothing, at all, about how to handle the fallout — which guarantees they are not ready to make necessary changes to prevent these things in the future.

If you aren’t yet well-versed in the story of former Blackhawks player Kyle Beach — who was sexually assaulted by a staff member in 2010, reported it and was ignored — catch up with a timeline of the situation.

While two of the leaders from that Blackhawks era have been forced to resign (Stan Bowman as GM in Chicago, Joel Quenneville as the head coach in Florida, where he’d been since 2019), the NHL announced Friday that it would not discipline Kevin Cheveldayoff, now the general manager in Winnipeg.

That makes no sense. You can, and most certainly should, hold someone responsible for not informing proper authorities about allegations of sexual assault. Which is what happened with Cheveldayoff. 

According to the findings released from a team-commissioned independent investigation by Jenner & Block on Tuesday, Cheveldayoff, then Chicago’s assistant GM, was part of a meeting with team leaders who did not act when a player, “John Doe,” alleged former video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him in 2010.

The May 23 meeting also included former GM Stan Bowman, ex-coach Joel Quenneville and team president John McDonough, who would not report the alleged incident to human resources until June 14, days after the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup. Human resources allowed Aldrich to resign June 16 instead of face an investigation.

What an awful message NHL commissioner Gary Bettman is sending. This only reinforces the idea that matters like this should be left to “senior” managers, when we have seen, time after time, that those are precisely the people most likely to cover it up.

And, also, the NHL should simply … expect all of its people in positions of power to do the right thing. This is not that hard.

Of course, Cheveldayoff tripped all over himself in a statement:

The words “I’m sorry” do not appear here. The words, “I was wrong” do not appear here. The words “I made a mistake and will regret it forever” do not appear here.

What’s here, though, is an attempt to deflect from his own role in causing Kyle Beach’s pain by calling Beach “incredibly brave.”

That reaction is more than a decade too late, Kev. Why weren’t you courageous enough to believe him then, and have you done anything, at all, to change the way you see things now?

Nobody has handled this well. Jonathan Toews sounded ludicrous when he expressed sorrow for Bowman rather than focusing on Beach and a broader hockey culture that failed him.

Quenneville at least said he wants to learn and improve, but only after distancing himself from Beach by referring to him as “this young man.”

Beach is 31 now. In 2010 he was a rising prospect. He’d been the 11th overall pick in the 2008 draft and had just scored 86 points playing a rugged style (186 penalty minutes) in his final season of junior hockey. Quenneville may not have known him well, but Beach most certainly was not just some “young man.”

Much of the blame for how the Blackhawks failed here has amorphously been assigned to “hockey culture.” It’s important for those within the sport, though, to explore what actually happened. Blanket condemnations may ring true, but they provide little path toward reconciliation.

There were specific problems here that need to be explored. Toews had been named captain, a position with real power in the NHL, before he could legally drink alcohol. Perhaps it’s not the best idea to have someone so young serve as the representative of the players to the coaching staff.

A more mature player might have set a different tone in the locker room, too:

Is this the reason people in Chicago didn’t take Beach seriously? Did they fail to believe a 6-foot-3, 200-pound power forward could be sexually assaulted by a video coach? Was there no understanding of power dynamics? Or just a callous disregard for any issue that didn’t directly effect the chase for a Stanley Cup?

Bruins winger Taylor Hall was one of several players who delivered a better message in the wake of this story shaking the NHL:

That gives you hope, right? That a player can see it this way. But how do we not also despair, knowing that one of the old boys just skated away, clear and free? He’s still there making decisions that impact the lives of every person in an entire organization, and when it comes time for him to fess up, to say he’s sorry, to admit to what he did wrong and say how he’s going to change, he instead just offers up “empathy” to the man whose life he helped ruin.

How are we supposed to deal with that?

Blackhawks' sexual abuse victim Kyle Beach meets with NHL execs: 

A timeline of the case and its fallout

Beach, 31, discussed sexual assault prevention with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA head Donald Fehr on Saturday

By Wajih AlBaroudi
CBS

USATSI

Fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks' sexual abuse scandal has only grown since the team's 107-page investigation report released Tuesday, most recently with Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville resigning after a Thursday meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Quenneville -- who coached Chicago to three Stanley Cup championships over 11 seasons -- and five other Blackhawks senior staffers failed to take immediate action against a former video coach who sexually assaulted a player in 2010, according to the report. Former first-round pick Kyle Beach came forward as the victim on Wednesday.

Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman and senior senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac stepped down two days before Quenneville, and Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff -- Chicago's assistant general manager in 2010 -- is expected to meet with Bettman on Monday. The NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million for their mishandling of the allegations. Here's a chronological look at the case and what to expect next.

May 8-9, 2010 -- The assault on Beach

Former Blackhawks center Kyle Beach and video coach Brad Aldrich engaged in a sexual encounter during the team's Western Conference finals series against the San Jose Sharks. Aldrich told investigators the encounter was consensual, but Beach said it was "entirely non-consensual." According to the report, Aldrich told Beach he would never play in the NHL or walk again if he didn't "act like he enjoyed the sexual encounter." Aldrich then forced himself upon Beach.

May 12-19, 2010 -- Beach confides in skill coach

Later in the Sharks series, Beach told Blackhawks skill coach Paul Vincent about the incident with Aldrich. Vincent -- according to Beach, not the investigators -- reported Beach's claims to the Blackhawks' front office, but Aldrich kept his job through the team's Stanley Cup run. Beach described Vincent as an "amazing man" who "tried to do everything he could do back then." The Blackhawks' inaction after discovering the allegations, however, made Beach "feel like I didn't exist."

May 23, 2010 -- Blackhawks' senior staff meeting

MacIsaac learns of the alleged sexual encounter between Aldirch and Beach from an employee. After the Blackhawks' series-clinching win over the Sharks, MacIsaac joined president John McDonough, Bowman, executive vice president Jay Blunk, assistant general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff, Quenneville and team counselor Jim Gary to discuss the incident. Bowman recalled McDonough and Quenneville brushing the issue aside, with the former hoping to avoid bad publicity during the team's Stanley Cup run and the latter wanting to ensure his team had no distractions.

June 10, 2010 -- Aldrich assaults Blackhawks intern

A day after the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup win, Aldrich allegedly made sexual advances toward a 22-year-old team intern. Aldrich "physically grabbed" the intern during the encounter, according to the report.

June 14-16, 2010 -- Human resources gets involved

McDonough told Blackhawks' human resources about the allegations against Aldrich and the senior managers' May 23 meeting on June 14. Two days later, Aldrich met with the director of human resources. Aldrich neither confirmed nor denied his role in the incident with Beach, forcing the director to give him an ultimatum: an investigation or resignation. After choosing to resign, the Blackhawks gave Aldrich a severance, playoff bonus and championship ring. Aldrich also had his name engraved on the cup, spent a day with the Stanley Cup and attended the team's banner-raising ceremony the following season.

Fall 2012 -- Aldrich assaults two at Miami (Ohio)

Aldrich sexually assaulted two men while serving as Miami (Ohio) University's director of hockey operations. Miami found Aldrich assaulted a Miami student who worked at the rink and a summer hockey camp intern, both after inviting them to sleep on his couch. Aldrich resigned from Miami later that year.

March 2013 -- Aldrich assaults high schooler

While serving as a volunteer hockey coach for a high school team in Houghton, Michigan, Aldrich allegedly sexually assaulted one of his teenage players after a post-game party. Aldrich admitted his sexual advances toward the teen to police shortly after.

September 2013 -- Blackhawks HR stonewalls Houghton Police

Houghton police contacts the Blackhawks' director of human resources for information on Aldrich. The director refused to offer any information on Alrdrich -- other than his resignation -- without a subpoena. Aldrich was eventually convicted of fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a student.

Feb. 13, 2014 -- Aldrich sentenced to jail

Aldrich was sentenced to nine months in Houghton County Jail for his sexual assault on the high school player. Upon his release, Aldrich was required to register as a sex offender, serve five years of probation and pay restitution.

May 7, 2021 -- Beach files lawsuit against Blackhawks

Beach, who was then unnamed and referred to as "John Doe 1," filed a lawsuit against the Blackhawks for their failure to punish Aldrich after his alleged assault in 2010.

June 2021 -- Blackhawks begin independent investigation

Chicago hired former federal prosecutor Redi Schar to conduct an "independent investigation" into Beach's allegations. The investigation released Tuesday and found the Blackhawks violated their own sexual harassment policy by waiting three weeks before taking action (Aldrich's forced resignation), a sharp turn from the team's commitment to investigating such issues "promptly and thoroughly."

"The failure to promptly and thoroughly investigate the matter and the decision to take no action from May 23 to June 14 had consequences," the report read. "During that period, Aldrich continued to work with and travel with the team. Aldrich engaged in an unwanted sexual advance on a Blackhawks intern—physically grabbing the intern in a sexual manner. And Aldrich continued to participate in team activities and celebrations, in the presence of John Doe. Even after the allegations were finally reported to the Director of Human Resources, still no investigation occurred, and Aldrich was permitted to resign his position and to continue participating in Stanley Cup victory events."

Oct. 26, 2021 -- Bowman and MacIsaac step down

The Blackhawks announced Bowman and MacIsaac, the lone members of the May 2010 senior meeting that remain with the team, stepped down from their respective roles. Vice president of hockey strategy and analytics Kyle Davidson took over as Chicago's interim general manager.

"The report is both disturbing and difficult to read," said Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, who added the team's senior executives didn't take adequate action in 2010. "It speaks for itself. (Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz) and our leadership team reviewed the report and we have had important and difficult conversations about how our organization will move forward."

Later that day, the NHL announced it was fining the Blackhawks $2 million for their "inadequate internal procedures and insufficient and untimely response in the handling of matters related to former video coach Brad Aldrich's employment with the Club and ultimate departure in 2010." The NHL and Blackhawks agreed to send $1 million of the fine money to Chicago organizations dedicated to supporting or assisting survivors of sexual and other forms of abuse.

USA Hockey also announced Bowman stepped down as the team's general manager for the 2022 Winter Olympics.

Oct. 27, 2021

Beach comes forward as the "John Doe" in the Blackhawks' sexual assault case. The 31-year-old who is currently playing in Germany told TSN "it was a day of many emotions. I cried, I smiled, I laughed, I cried some more. My girlfriend and I, we didn't really know how to feel, we didn't really know how to think."

Oct. 28, 2021 -- Quenneville resigns

Quenneville resigned after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in New York to discuss his involvement in the Blackhawks' sexual assault case. Andrew Brunette will serve as the team's interim head coach. Bettman said in a statement after Quenneville's resignation that the coach wouldn't receive any further punishment from the league -- unless he tries to re-enter it.

"Should he wish to re-enter the league in some capacity in the future, I will require a meeting with him in advance in order to determine the appropriate conditions under which such new employment might take place."

Beach also took to social media to thank fans for their "endless love and support" but admitted "my battle is really just beginning as the Blackhawks continue to attempt to destroy my case in court." He hopes to "promote safety, as well as the health and well being of society as a whole" through his lawsuit.

Oct. 30 -- Bettman speaks with Bettman, NHLPA head Donald Fehr

Bettman met with Beach to discuss how to prevent further sexual misconduct within the league. Susan Loggans, Beach's attorney, told the AP that Bettman conveyed his "sincere regret" over Beach's experience and offered the league's physcological services. Beach also met with NHL players' association executive director Donald Fehr via a video conference call later that day.

Nov. 1, 2021 -- Cheveldayoff meets with Bettman

Cheveldayoff, the Winnipeg Jets' general manager, is slated to meet Bettman on Monday. The NHL has yet to announce any punishment for Cheveldayoff.

Panthers' Joel Quenneville resigns amid Blackhawks sexual assault scandal after meeting with Gary Bettman

A Chicago Blackhawks investigation found Quenneville ignored a player's sexual assault claims against a coach in 2010

By Wajih AlBaroudi
Oct 28, 2021 

Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville resigned on Thursday amid the Chicago Blackhawks' sexual assault scandal. The 63-year-old coach met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman that afternoon to discuss his involvement in the case. A Blackhawks-commissioned investigation found Quenneville and numerous other Chicago senior staffers ignored allegations of a coach sexually assaulting a player during the team's 2010 Stanley Cup run.

Multiple reports indicate Andrew Brunette will serve as the Panthers interim head coach until the team finds an outside replacement.

"After the release of the Jenner & Block investigative report on Tuesday afternoon, we have continued to diligently review the information within that report, in addition to new information that has recently become available," the Panthers announced in a statement. "It should go without saying that the conduct described in that report is troubling and inexcusable. It stands in direct contrast to our values as an organization and what the Florida Panthers stand for. No one should ever have to endure what Kyle Beach experienced during, and long after, his time in Chicago. Quite simply, he was failed. We praise his bravery and courage in coming forward.

"Following a meeting today with Commissioner Bettman at National Hockey League offices, which was part of the league's process to decide how to move forward, Joel made the decision to resign and the Florida Panthers accepted that resignation."

Bettman said in a statement "all parties agreed it was no longer appropriate that (Quenneville) continue to serve as Florida's head coach." The commissioner added the NHL won't pursue any further action against Quenneville at the moment, but he might face some if he attempts to get back into the league.

"Should he wish to re-enter the league in some capacity in the future, I will require a meeting with him in advance in order to determine the appropriate conditions under which such new employment might take place."

Quenneville released a statement of his own after his resignation, announcing the move with "deep regret and contrition."

"I want to express my sorrow for the pain this young man, Kyle Beach, has suffered," the statement read. "My former team the Blackhawks failed Kyle and I own share of that. I want to reflect on how all this happened and take the time to educate myself on ensuring hockey spaces are safe for everyone."

Former Blackhawks center Kyle Beach accused video coach Brad Aldrich of sexual assault during the team's 2010 Western Conference finals series against the San Jose Sharks. After learning of the allegations, Quenneville met with senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac, president John McDonough, general manager Stan Bowman, executive vice president Jay Blunk, assistant general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and team counselor Jim Gary to discuss the incident and their path forward.

Quenneville chose to ignore the incident, with Bowman later telling investigators he "shook his head and said that it was hard for the team to get to where they were [the playoffs] and they could not deal with this issue now." The Blackhawks eventually won the first of three Stanley Cups under Quenneville that season. Aldrich -- who resigned three weeks later -- remained on the staff throughout the 2010 title run, earning a championship ring, a day with the Stanley Cup and an invitation to the team's banner-raising ceremony the following season.

"Stan Bowman has quoted Joel Quenneville saying -- and this is not a quote, this is my words -- saying that the playoffs, the Stanley Cup playoffs and trying to win a Stanley Cup was more important than sexual assault," Beach, who came forward as Aldrich's victim this week, told TSN on Wednesday. "And I can't believe that. As a human being, I cannot believe that, and I cannot accept that."

Bowman and MacIsaac, the lone members of the Blackhawks' senior staff remaining from the 2010 Stanley Cup team, both stepped down shortly after the Blackhawks released their 107-page report on Tuesday. Quenneville, however, was allowed to coach the Panthers on Wednesday, sparking social-media outrage.

  

Panthers general manager Bill Zito and team president Matt Caldwell reportedly accompanied Quenneville to Thursday's meeting. The Quenneville-led Panthers have won their first seven games this season, a feat only 13 teams accomplished before them.

Cheveldayoff will meet with Bettman on Monday.

Quenneville has coached the Blackhawks, Panthers, St. Louis Blues and Colorado Avalanche over his 25-year career. The 63-year-old won three Stanley Cups over 11 years with the Blackhawks and earned the Jack Adams award -- the NHL's Coach of the Year award -- with the St. Louis Blues in 1999-2000.

With 969 career wins, Quenneville trails only Scotty Bowman (1244) for the most in NHL history. Scotty Bowman is Stan Bowman's father and served as the senior advisor to hockey operations during the 2009-10 season.