Blackhawks’ sexual abuse victim Kyle Beach meets with NHL execs: A timeline of the case and its fallout

Fallout from the Chicago Blackhawks‘ sexual abuse scandal has solely grown for the reason that crew’s 107-page investigation report launched Tuesday, most just lately with Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville resigning after a Thursday assembly with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman. Quenneville — who coached Chicago to a few Stanley Cup championships over 11 seasons — and 5 different Blackhawks senior staffers didn’t take quick motion towards a former video coach who sexually assaulted a participant in 2010, in accordance with the report. Former first-round decide Kyle Seaside came forward because the sufferer on Wednesday.

Blackhawks normal supervisor Stan Bowman and senior senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac stepped down two days earlier than Quenneville, and Winnipeg Jets normal supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff — Chicago’s assistant normal supervisor in 2010 — is predicted to fulfill with Bettman on Monday. The NHL fined the Blackhawks $2 million for his or her mishandling of the allegations. Here is a chronological have a look at the case and what to anticipate subsequent. 

Could 8-9, 2010 — The assault on Seaside

Former Blackhawks heart Kyle Seaside and video coach Brad Aldrich engaged in a sexual encounter throughout the crew’s Western Convention finals sequence towards the San Jose Sharks. Aldrich advised investigators the encounter was consensual, however Seaside stated it was “fully non-consensual.” In line with the report, Aldrich advised Seaside he would by no means play within the NHL or stroll once more if he did not “act like he loved the sexual encounter.” Aldrich then compelled himself upon Seaside. 

Could 12-19, 2010 — Seaside confides in ability coach

Later within the Sharks sequence, Seaside advised Blackhawks ability coach Paul Vincent concerning the incident with Aldrich. Vincent — in accordance with Seaside, not the investigators — reported Seaside’s claims to the Blackhawks’ entrance workplace, however Aldrich saved his job by way of the crew’s Stanley Cup run. Seaside described Vincent as an “superb man” who “tried to do all the things he may do again then.” The Blackhawks’ inaction after discovering the allegations, nonetheless, made Seaside “really feel like I did not exist.” 

Could 23, 2010 — Blackhawks’ senior employees assembly

MacIsaac learns of the alleged sexual encounter between Aldirch and Seaside from an worker. After the Blackhawks’ series-clinching win over the Sharks, MacIsaac joined president John McDonough, Bowman, government vp Jay Blunk, assistant normal supervisor Kevin Cheveldayoff, Quenneville and crew counselor Jim Gary to debate the incident. Bowman recalled McDonough and Quenneville brushing the difficulty apart, with the previous hoping to keep away from dangerous publicity throughout the crew’s Stanley Cup run and the latter wanting to make sure his crew had no distractions.  

June 10, 2010 — Aldrich assaults Blackhawks intern

A day after the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup win, Aldrich allegedly made sexual advances towards a 22-year-old crew intern. Aldrich “bodily grabbed” the intern throughout the encounter, in accordance with the report. 

June 14-16, 2010 — Human assets will get concerned

McDonough advised Blackhawks’ human assets concerning the allegations towards Aldrich and the senior managers’ Could 23 assembly on June 14. Two days later, Aldrich met with the director of human assets. Aldrich neither confirmed nor denied his position within the incident with Seaside, forcing the director to present him an ultimatum: an investigation or resignation. After selecting to resign, the Blackhawks gave Aldrich a severance, playoff bonus and championship ring. Aldrich additionally had his title engraved on the cup, spent a day with the Stanley Cup and attended the crew’s banner-raising ceremony the next season. 

Fall 2012 — Aldrich assaults two at Miami (Ohio)

Aldrich sexually assaulted two males whereas serving as Miami (Ohio) College’s director of hockey operations. Miami discovered Aldrich assaulted a Miami scholar who labored on the rink and a summer time hockey camp intern, each after inviting them to sleep on his sofa. Aldrich resigned from Miami later that yr. 

March 2013 — Aldrich assaults excessive schooler

Whereas serving as a volunteer hockey coach for a highschool crew in Houghton, Michigan, Aldrich allegedly sexually assaulted certainly one of his teenage gamers after a post-game celebration. Aldrich admitted his sexual advances towards the teenager to police shortly after. 

September 2013 — Blackhawks HR stonewalls Houghton Police

Houghton police contacts the Blackhawks’ director of human assets for info on Aldrich. The director refused to supply any info on Alrdrich — aside from his resignation — with out a subpoena. Aldrich was ultimately convicted of fourth-degree prison sexual conduct involving a scholar. 

Feb. 13, 2014 — Aldrich sentenced to jail

Aldrich was sentenced to 9 months in Houghton County Jail for his sexual assault on the highschool participant. Upon his launch, Aldrich was required to register as a intercourse offender, serve 5 years of probation and pay restitution. 

Could 7, 2021 — Seaside recordsdata lawsuit towards Blackhawks

Seaside, who was then unnamed and known as “John Doe 1,” filed a lawsuit towards the Blackhawks for his or her failure to punish Aldrich after his alleged assault in 2010. 

June 2021 — Blackhawks start unbiased investigation

Chicago employed former federal prosecutor Redi Schar to conduct an “unbiased investigation” into Seaside’s allegations. The investigation launched Tuesday and located the Blackhawks violated their very own sexual harassment coverage by ready three weeks earlier than taking motion (Aldrich’s compelled resignation), a pointy flip from the crew’s dedication to investigating such points “promptly and totally.” 

“The failure to promptly and totally examine the matter and the choice to take no motion from Could 23 to June 14 had penalties,” the report learn. “Throughout that interval, Aldrich continued to work with and journey with the crew. Aldrich engaged in an undesirable sexual advance on a Blackhawks intern—bodily grabbing the intern in a sexual method. And Aldrich continued to take part in crew actions and celebrations, within the presence of John Doe. Even after the allegations have been lastly reported to the Director of Human Assets, nonetheless no investigation occurred, and Aldrich was permitted to resign his place and to proceed taking part in Stanley Cup victory occasions.”

Oct. 26, 2021 — Bowman and MacIsaac step down

The Blackhawks introduced Bowman and MacIsaac, the lone members of the Could 2010 senior assembly that stay with the crew, stepped down from their respective roles. Vice chairman of hockey technique and analytics Kyle Davidson took over as Chicago’s interim normal supervisor. 

“The report is each disturbing and tough to learn,” stated Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz, who added the crew’s senior executives did not take satisfactory motion in 2010. “It speaks for itself. (Blackhawks proprietor Rocky Wirtz) and our management crew reviewed the report and now we have had essential and tough conversations about how our group will transfer ahead.”

Later that day, the NHL introduced it was fining the Blackhawks $2 million for his or her “insufficient inner procedures and inadequate and premature response within the dealing with of issues associated to former video coach Brad Aldrich’s employment with the Membership and supreme departure in 2010.” The NHL and Blackhawks agreed to ship $1 million of the tremendous cash to Chicago organizations devoted to supporting or helping survivors of sexual and different types of abuse. 

USA Hockey additionally introduced Bowman stepped down because the crew’s normal supervisor for the 2022 Winter Olympics. 

Oct. 27, 2021

Seaside comes forward because the “John Doe” within the Blackhawks’ sexual assault case. The 31-year-old who’s presently taking part in in Germany advised TSN “it was a day of many feelings. I cried, I smiled, I laughed, I cried some extra. My girlfriend and I, we did not actually know the right way to really feel, we did not actually know the right way to assume.”

Oct. 28, 2021 — Quenneville resigns

Quenneville resigned after meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman in New York to debate his involvement within the Blackhawks’ sexual assault case. Andrew Brunette will function the crew’s interim head coach. Bettman stated in a statement after Quenneville’s resignation that the coach would not obtain any additional punishment from the league — except he tries to re-enter it. 

“Ought to he want to re-enter the league in some capability sooner or later, I’ll require a gathering with him upfront with the intention to decide the suitable situations below which such new employment may happen.”

Seaside additionally took to social media to thank followers for his or her “limitless love and assist” however admitted “my battle is de facto simply starting because the Blackhawks proceed to try to destroy my case in courtroom.” He hopes to “promote security, in addition to the well being and properly being of society as a complete” by way of his lawsuit.

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

Bettman met with Seaside to debate the right way to stop additional sexual misconduct throughout the league. Susan Loggans, Seaside’s lawyer, advised the AP that Bettman conveyed his “honest remorse” over Seaside’s expertise and supplied the league’s physcological companies. Seaside additionally met with NHL gamers’ affiliation government director Donald Fehr through a video convention name later that day. 

Nov. 1, 2021 — Cheveldayoff meets with Bettman

Cheveldayoff, the Winnipeg Jets‘ normal supervisor, is slated to fulfill Bettman on Monday. The NHL has but to announce any punishment for Cheveldayoff.