In a recent legal development, the Chicago Blackhawks are once again facing a lawsuit, this time for civil litigation related to allegations of sexual abuse and an ensuing cover-up in the 2010 season. The lawsuit was first reported by Phillip Thompson of the Chicago Tribune.
The plaintiff, identified as John Doe, has chosen to remain anonymous and has allowed his legal representatives from the firm Romanucci & Blandin to speak on his behalf. According to Antonio Romanucci, the founding partner of Romanucci & Blandin, the lawsuit has been filed against the Chicago Blackhawks for their alleged role in permitting and perpetuating the abusive conduct and prioritizing their quest for victory over the well-being of their players.
The accusations revolve around John Doe’s alleged sexual abuse by the former Blackhawks video coach, Brad Aldrich, during the 2010 season, specifically during the Stanley Cup playoffs. Shockingly, the misconduct only came to light a decade later when another former Blackhawks prospect, Kyle Beach, filed his own lawsuit against the team. By that time, Brad Aldrich had reportedly gone on to sexually abuse other young hockey players, resulting in his conviction for fourth-degree criminal sexual assault of a high school player and a nine-month jail sentence.
Antonio Romanucci emphasized the lawsuit’s focus on institutional negligence, where the win-at-all-costs culture allegedly enabled a predatory coach to abuse players who felt powerless to report the abuse during a successful season.
The lawsuit also mentions a settlement reached in 2021 between the Chicago Blackhawks and Kyle Beach, regarding Beach’s own alleged assault by Brad Aldrich. Team officials had knowledge of these allegations but chose not to address them until after the Blackhawks had clinched the 2010 Stanley Cup. The lawsuit now puts the team’s commitment to change and becoming a better organization to the test.
Romanucci described the Chicago Blackhawks’ actions as their “own version of a hat trick” in how they responded to Aldrich’s abuse, including assigning a doctor to John Doe, who, according to the lawyers, attempted to shift blame onto the player.
The lawsuit, filed on November 2 in Cook County Circuit Court, names the Chicago Blackhawks as the sole defendant and seeks a jury trial. It includes six counts: “negligent hiring and retention of Brad Aldrich, negligent supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of the gender violence act.”
It is essential to note that the allegations in this lawsuit have not yet been proven in court. The Chicago Blackhawks, in response, declined to comment on the specific details but conveyed their commitment to taking workplace conduct allegations seriously and implementing significant improvements to ensure the safety and well-being of their employees and players.
Jason Friedl, a senior attorney in the case, alleged that during John Doe’s recall from the AHL for the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, Brad Aldrich had direct and constant access to the plaintiff and had abused his authority as a member of the coaching staff to groom, harass, threaten, and ultimately assault John Doe for his own sexual gratification. The allegations included intrusive behavior, such as sending explicit photos, discussing sexual acts, displaying pornography in front of players, and making inappropriate offers.
John Doe reportedly reported these actions to the Blackhawks’ team president, but according to the lawyers, no action was taken in response.
Romanucci & Blandin are seeking financial compensation for the damages caused by these alleged actions. The lawsuit is ongoing, and further developments are expected.
