Several Chicago Blackhawks executives failed to report a 2010 accusation that a minor league player had been sexually assaulted by the team’s video coach during that year’s playoffs, according to an independent investigation commissioned by the team. Executives were concerned about distracting the team — the Blackhawks would win the Stanley Cup a month later — and did not thoroughly investigate the accusation or punish the coach, Brad Aldrich, according to the investigation.
The inaction by Blackhawks executives would have devastating effects. Aldrich later made a sexual advance toward a Blackhawks intern during the Stanley Cup celebrations, according to the investigation’s findings, which were released Tuesday.