Blackhawks Quietly Settle Second Sexual Assault Lawsuit Tied to Brad Aldrich Scandal
The Chicago Blackhawks have reached a second settlement in the Brad Aldrich sexual assault scandal. More than a decade after their 2010 Stanley Cup win, the fallout continues to haunt the franchise. What once looked like a story of glory has become entangled with one of the NHL’s darkest scandals.
⚖️ The Settlement
- The lawsuit, filed in 2023 in Cook County Circuit Court, came from a former prospect known only as “John Doe.” He served as a Black Ace, a reserve player added during the 2010 Stanley Cup Final run.
- According to the complaint, Aldrich, then the team’s video coach, used his authority to groom, harass, threaten, and assault Doe. The lawsuit listed 15 counts of negligence against the Blackhawks, claiming that the team ignored multiple warnings and failed to protect one of its own.
- The exact settlement terms remain undisclosed. However, both sides confirmed the agreement only weeks before the trial date of October 27, 2025. The timing suggests that neither side wanted to endure the publicity of a full trial.
🕰️ Historical Context
This is not the first time the Blackhawks have been at the center of such legal battles. In fact, the Doe settlement follows one of the most infamous cases in modern hockey history:
- Kyle Beach Case (2021): Beach, a former first-round draft pick, said Aldrich sexually assaulted him during the 2010 playoffs. His bravery in coming forward changed how the hockey world viewed accountability. Beach settled with the Blackhawks in 2021, sparking major changes in leadership.
- His case led to an independent Jenner & Block investigation, which revealed a disturbing timeline. Leadership knew of the allegations but chose to delay action until after celebrating their Stanley Cup victory. In response, the NHL fined Chicago $2 million for failing to act responsibly.
This second lawsuit proves the Beach case was not an isolated incident. Instead, it points to a broader pattern of negligence and silence during a period that was supposed to define the Blackhawks dynasty.
👥 Organizational Fallout
The damage extended far beyond the courtroom. The scandal forced the removal of several of the most powerful figures in hockey:
- Stan Bowman (President & GM) and Al MacIsaac (Senior Director of Hockey Administration) both resigned in October 2021.
- Joel Quenneville, head coach of the 2010 Blackhawks, resigned from his post with the Florida Panthers after a tense meeting with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman.
- In July 2024, the NHL reinstated Bowman, MacIsaac, and Quenneville. The league said they had shown “sincere remorse” and taken part in conduct training programs designed to improve leadership accountability.
- Bowman later became GM of the Edmonton Oilers (July 2024). Quenneville accepted a new role as head coach of the Anaheim Ducks (May 2025). Their return shows how quickly reputations in sports can be repaired, even after scandal.
🔎 Aldrich’s Criminal Past
The story does not end with the Blackhawks. Aldrich’s behavior after leaving Chicago underscores the danger of silence:
- In 2013, he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct with a 16-year-old player he coached in Michigan.
- He served prison time and is now a registered sex offender. His crimes outside Chicago amplify the consequences of the Blackhawks’ decision not to act sooner.
📊 Why This Matters
- For the Blackhawks: Every new settlement chips away at the team’s reputation. The mishandling of Aldrich’s behavior continues to bring legal, financial, and reputational costs more than a decade later.
- For the NHL: The case shows that hockey’s leadership cannot avoid accountability forever. It raises urgent questions about player protection, organizational transparency, and the culture of silence that often surrounds abuse in sports.
- For fans and the public: The Blackhawks’ 2010 Stanley Cup win should have been remembered as the start of a modern dynasty. Instead, it has become a cautionary tale of how success on the ice was built alongside failure off it.
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