Blackhawks, former player settle lawsuit

The Chicago Blackhawks and a former player have settled a lawsuit over the team’s actions when informed of sexual assault allegations against an ex-video coach.

Lawyers for the former player, named in documents as John Doe, and the Blackhawks confirmed the settlement in emails to Sportsnet. The story was first reported by The Athletic.

“We acknowledge the case has been settled and will have no further comment on the matter,” the Blackhawks said.

“The lawsuit has been settled by agreement of the parties,” said Romanucci & Blandin founding partner Antonio M. Romanucci and Partner Michael D. Cerasa, who represent the plaintiff.

The lawsuit was filed in Cook County Circuit Court in 2023. A trial date was set for next month before the settlement was reached.

John Doe, The Athletic reported, alleged the Blackhawks knew former video coach Brad Aldrich had sexually assaulted him in 2010, but did not investigate the allegations properly.

Former player Kyle Beach and the Blackhawks previously settled a case involving sexual assault allegations against Aldrich.

A review by an outside law firm, commissioned by the team in response to two lawsuits and released in October 2021, found that the franchise badly mishandled Beach’s allegations that he was assaulted by Aldrich.