You don’t want to read this.
Are you really not reading this? Chances are you glanced at the title and quickly scrolled past. Maybe it’s because the subject makes you uncomfortable or you’re tired of hearing about it. Perhaps you belong to the vocal minority that fails to comprehend power dynamics and callously blames the victims. Whatever the reason, you’d prefer to forget about former Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich. He’s a distant and unpleasant memory, a stain on history that fades a little more with each passing day.
I know you don’t want to hear that another player from that 2010 championship team has filed a lawsuit against the Blackhawks, accusing Aldrich of sexual assault and harassment according to the Chicago Tribune. It’s uncomfortable to think about what John Doe, previously known as “Black Ace 1,” went through while you were celebrating one of the greatest moments in franchise history. It’s painful to be reminded of Kyle Beach, another Black Ace who filed the initial lawsuit with similar allegations (which has since been settled).
You probably thought it was all over and don’t want to relive it.
Right now, you’d rather read about Connor Bedard fooling another goaltender with his incredible release. Or maybe you’re interested in Lukas Reichel getting out of his slump. How about Alex Vlasic returning from a concussion without missing a beat? Literally anything else is more appealing to you at the moment. And who can blame you?
But here’s the thing, you shouldn’t just skip past this. You should read it. You should remember it. And, every now and then, you should reflect on it.
The Blackhawks certainly are.
“It affects us daily in how we operate as an organization and how we strive to do the right thing,” said Danny Wirtz in an interview with The Athletic over a year ago.
It’s essential to remember. We need to be reminded that people suffered while Chicago rejoiced. We need to remember that the Blackhawks chose to ignore the allegations, prioritizing team chemistry over doing what was right and obvious. They protected a predator instead of their own players. This is especially troubling as former coach Joel Quenneville and former general manager Stan Bowman approach potential reinstatement in the NHL, while Kevin Cheveldayoff continues to hold the position of general manager for the Winnipeg Jets without facing any consequences for his complicity in silence.
Remember that the Blackhawks did not stand in Aldrich’s way after he quietly resigned following the playoffs. Three years later, he pleaded guilty to criminal sexual misconduct involving a 16-year-old hockey player he coached in Michigan. Remember that some of your heroes from those early 2010s teams, whose identities are still unknown, allegedly bullied Beach and John Doe with homophobic slurs. Doe recounted in the Jenner & Block investigation that, around 2014, a former Blackhawks player called him a derogatory term as he chased him around the rink.
Remember that professional athletes are human beings, too. They deserve a safe and inclusive work environment, with protective measures in place and bosses who listen, believe them, and prioritize their well-being.
Here’s the good news: the current Blackhawks management appears to embrace these principles and safeguards. Wirtz, who took over ownership of the team after his father’s passing in July, is working on creating such a workplace alongside team president of business operations Jaime Faulkner. Everyone who was present in that room in late May 2010 and decided not to report the allegations—neither to human resources, the police, nor the press—is no longer associated with the organization. The stain resides in the team’s history, not within the team itself.
As a Blackhawks fan, you might find the timing of the lawsuit cruel. The team has a lot of optimism surrounding it these days, largely thanks to the arrival of Bedard. The future looks promising, and who wants to dwell on the past?
Ironically, the Blackhawks, who were pariahs in the hockey world just two years ago, are on the verge of becoming quite likable. Bedard is proving to be the real deal—a phenomenally talented, dedicated kid with a strong character. Luke Richardson, a gritty old-school defenseman known for his physicality, has won the respect and admiration of even the most skeptical fans with his progressive and modern approach. His conversations with his daughter, a high school biology teacher well-versed in the ways of Gen Z, have influenced his thinking. Richardson prioritizes emotional honesty with his players, mental health, and the belief that hockey should be enjoyable, not a source of relentless stress.
General Manager Kyle Davidson has been making all the right moves since taking over from Bowman, with whom he previously worked. His playful interview with an unknowing podcaster during draft week in Nashville, where he was mistaken for a fan, instantly turned “Kyle From Chicago” into a delightful meme.
With the likes of Nick Foligno and Taylor Hall, two outgoing veterans bringing life to the team and offering advice to the younger players, as well as Vlasic, the local talent, emerging as a strong defenseman, and a host of high-speed, high-motor prospects on the rise, it may be several years before they contend, but there’s every reason to believe that this team is heading in the right direction both on and off the ice. Considering where they stood just a couple of years ago, when the aftermath of the damning and disturbing Jenner & Block report was still fresh, it’s an astonishing turnaround.
It’s natural to experience cognitive dissonance, feeling genuine excitement about the future while simultaneously feeling genuine shame about the past. Many fans have been grappling with these conflicting emotions for years, and may continue to do so for years to come.
So, go ahead and wear your No. 98 jersey, dance to “Chelsea Dagger,” make your “Kyle From Chicago” jokes, and revel in the fact that the team is led by a progressive-minded coach who is guiding these young players into the NHL. It’s perfectly fine to be a Blackhawks fan, to find joy in the game, and to fall in love with it all over again.
Just don’t forget what happened to Beach and John Doe. Don’t just move on. Keep reading, listening, and talking. The very least we can do is treat them with the respect, consideration, and humanity that the Blackhawks failed to provide 13 and a half years ago.
(Top photo of the United Center: Patrick Gorski / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
