Chicago Blackhawks

Montreal Canadiens general manager Marc Bergevin said Sunday he was "not aware" of sexual assault allegations brought against Chicago Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich by two players during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs, when Bergevin was the Hawks' director of player personnel.

Bergevin was asked about the situation as his Habs prepare to play in the 2021 Stanley Cup Final against the reigning champion Tampa Bay Lightning beginning Monday night.

"It came out recently, there was a meeting that I heard that was done in Chicago, I was not part of any meeting, and I was not part of any decision based on that," Bergevin told reporters. "And I was not aware of anything going on at the time. So you can go on the record with that."

In April, one of the two players who allege Aldrich sexually assaulted them filed a lawsuit against the NHL team seeking $150,000 in damages. The court filing stated Aldrich "threatened to injure [him] ... physically, financially and emotionally if the plaintiff did not engage in sexual activity."

TSN's Rick Westhead reported June 17 there was a meeting between several members of the Blackhawks front office and coaching staff in May 2010 after multiple players on the roster alerted skills coach Paul Vincent of the allegations against Aldrich.

That meeting featured Vincent, team president John McDonough, vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, general manager Stan Bowman and team sports psychologist James Gary, per Westhead. Bergevin was not named in the report among those in attendance.

Vincent suggested the organization should report the incidents to Chicago police, but his suggestion was rejected, and the team allowed Aldrich to remain on the coaching staff for the remainder of the playoffs as the Hawks went on to win that year's Stanley Cup title, according to the TSN report.

An unnamed player from the 2009-10 Blackhawks roster said the situation was not a secret.

"Every guy on the team knew about it," the player told Mark Lazerus, Katie Strang and Scott Powers of The Athletic on Friday. "Every single guy on the team knew."

Aldrich left the organization after the 2010 Stanley Cup run ended. He later spent time as a coach at Houghton High School in Michigan and at Miami University in Ohio.

In 2014, he was sentenced to nine months in jail and five years of probation after he pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a student between 16 and 18. He also had to register as a sex offender in the state of Michigan.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic there wasn't an active investigation into the situation within the league as of Friday.

"We have been in contact with the Club regarding the matter but there is no ongoing investigation. We do not have any further comment at this time," he said.

Bergevin, a 55-year-old former NHL defenseman, left the Blackhawks in May 2012 to become general manager of the Canadiens.

Former Blackhawks assistant coach John Torchetti corroborated multiple reports that team leadership decided not to call the sex crimes division of the Chicago Police after two players accused then-video coach Bradley Aldrich of sexual assault during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoffs.

Torchetti, who was an assistant to head coach Joel Quenneville from 2007 to 2010, told TSN's Rick Westhead he recalls skills coach Paul Vincent relaying what two players had told him about Aldrich's alleged abuse. Torchetti said Vincent, a former Massachusetts police officer, told him of the May 17, 2010, meeting with the front office at a hotel in San Jose, California.

"I couldn't believe what I was hearing when Paul told me what the players had said to him," Torchetti said. "We talked about it and he said, with the players' permission, he had to go and take this to management to be dealt with. I remember after the meeting, Paul told me all the brass were in there and that they had said no to going to the police."

Vincent told TSN the meeting consisted of him, team sports psychologist James Gary, president John McDonough, vice president Al MacIsaac and general manager Stan Bowman.

The Blackhawks are currently facing two lawsuits over Aldrich's alleged abuse. The first from a player on the 2010 Stanley Cup-winning team, known in court documents as John Doe (1), who says the team ignored accusations against Aldrich. The second from a former high school hockey player in Michigan, referred to as John Doe (2). Aldrich pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct with him in 2013. John Doe (2) says the Blackhawks gave Aldrich a letter of recommendation after covering up sexual abuse claims three years earlier.

Former Chicago defenseman Brent Sopel (2007-2010), and forward Daniel Carcillo (2011-2013) called out both the NHL and the Blackhawks for their lax response:

The front office staff should be in jail. The NHL is showing there true colours. Gary doesn’t care about anyone but himself. This is absolutely disgusting that the NHL is doing nothing

— Brent Sopel (@brent_sopel) June 25, 2021

The front office staff discuss me should never work in hockey again. It’s also BS the NHL isn’t involved yet https://t.co/8EYRvAxHpt

— Brent Sopel (@brent_sopel) June 25, 2021

Aldrich is now a registered sex offender in the state of Michigan. The Blackhawks are petitioning the Cook County Court to dismiss the player's lawsuit because of the statute of limitations.

"It's so upsetting, it's so glaring, because of what this guy was able to do after he left the Blackhawks," Torchetti said. "You have to know what kind of guy Paul Vincent is. This guy is loyal to a fault, the most loyal guy you are going to meet in the game. His background helps explain why he gets so upset about issues like abuse."

Another unnamed player on the 2010 Blackhawks told Mark Lazerus, Katie Strang and Scott Powers of The Athletic that "every guy on the team knew about" the allegations in 2010. The coach departed the franchise shortly after the team won the Stanley Cup, joining Miami (Ohio) University's hockey program for four months before leaving his post as allegations of unwanted sexual touching surfaced. He then worked as a volunteer high school coach in Michigan, where he would be convicted in 2013.

Miami is currently conducting an independent investigation of Aldrich's time at the university. NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told The Athletic the league is not investigating the matter and didn't respond when asked what it would take for the NHL to step in.

A lawyer representing a former Chicago Blackhawks player suing the club is seeking all team records related to her client's alleged sexual abuse by video coach Bradley Aldrich in 2010, per TSN's Rick Westhead. 

Attorney Susan Loggans filed a document in Cook County Court on behalf of the former player—identified as "John Doe (1)" in legal proceedings—for all "emails, meetings notes and other records" pertaining to the player's claims. 

Per Westhead:

Loggans made 31 separate requests for documents in her court filing. Among her requests: “Personnel files relating to Bradley Aldrich, including any letters of reference or recommendation” and, “Any emails phone messages memos or other interoffice communications regarding Bradley Aldrich between or among the defendant, the Blackhawks, employers, management employers, and/or executives.”

Loggans has also asked for any records relating to a Blackhawks senior leadership meeting on May 17, 2010, when then-Blackhawks president John McDonough, vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, general manager Stan Bowman and team sports psychologist James Gary learned of the alleged abuse from then-skills coach Paul Vincent. Despite Vincent's recommendation to alert Chicago police to multiple allegations of sexual abuse, the team reportedly did not reach out to local authorities. 

Aldrich, a registered sex offender in Michigan, remained with the Blackhawks for the duration of the team's successful Stanley Cup run in 2010 before departing in the offseason. In a separate lawsuit filed against the team, a former high school hockey player referred to as "John Doe (2)" alleged the Blackhawks covered up the abuse and gave Aldrich a letter of recommendation, allowing the coach to continue working in the sport and allegedly continue abusing minors and young men. 

The 38-year-old Aldrich pleaded guilty to criminal sexual contact for sexually abusing "John Doe (2)" in 2013, three years after allegedly abusing two players in Chicago. 

In between the reported incidents, Aldrich spent four months working for the Miami (Ohio) University hockey team. The school has since begun an independent investigation of the coach's time there. 

Blackhawks attorney John Stiglich is seeking to dismiss the case due to Illinois' statute of limitations. Stiglich asked the court to dismiss Loggans' records request, calling the move premature with the team's motion to dismiss still pending. Additionally, the Blackhawks argued the complaint should've been made through a workers' compensation claim. 

Loggans told TSN she plans to issue subpoenas to current and former Blackhawks employees if the case proceeds and intends to depose at least four unnamed team officials. In the meantime, her records request includes:

•  "Documents sent to or received from the NHL Players’ Association relating to 'John Doe (1)' and the full and complete personnel file of 'John Doe (1)' and 'any and all training manuals, videos, instruction materials you utilize to train hockey players regarding how to handle all media appearances, press related meetings, and/or interviews.'”
• "Documents sent to or received from the Chicago Police Department regarding investigations into any employee of the NHL team."
• "All of the team’s records relating to 'each allegation of sexual exploitation, whether or not credible, made against any of employees and/or agents of defendant, the Blackhawks.'"

Earlier Friday, Mark Lazerus, Katie Strang and Scott Powers of The Athletic reported players on the Blackhawks knew about Aldrich's alleged abuse. 

“We have been in contact with the Club regarding the matter but there is no ongoing investigation," NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the outlet via email. "We do not have any further comment at this time.”

Daly did not respond to a follow-up question by The Athletic asking what would prompt the league to take action. 

An unnamed member of the 2009-10 Chicago Blackhawks roster said everybody on the team was aware of the alleged sexual assault of two players by former video coach Brad Aldrich.

"Every guy on the team knew about it," the player told Mark Lazerus and Katie Strang of The Athletic on Friday. "Every single guy on the team knew."

One of the players filed a lawsuit in April alleging the Blackhawks ignored his report. He stated Aldrich "threatened to injure (him) ... physically, financially and emotionally if the plaintiff did not engage in sexual activity," and he sought $150,000 in damages in the case. The team said those allegations "lack merit."

TSN's Rick Westhead reported last week that two players had told skills coach Paul Vincent about the alleged sexual assaults by Aldrich, and Vincent relayed the information during a May 2010 meeting with several members of the Blackhawks front office at the time—president John McDonough, vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, general manager Stan Bowman and team sports psychologist James Gary.

A source told Westhead that Vincent's effort to have to inform the Chicago police were "rejected," and Aldrich remained a member of the coaching staff for the rest of the season. The Hawks went on to win that year's Stanley Cup.

"I trust [Vincent] over the front office," former Chicago defenseman Nick Boynton told The Athletic. "He's a stand-up guy."

Aldrich left the Hawks after the 2010 campaign. He went on to have two stints as a volunteer coach at Houghton High School in Michigan sandwiched around a four-month stint at Miami University in Ohio. The college is investigating his time with the program, per The Athletic.

In June, a former Houghton player filed a lawsuit against the Blackhawks alleging they gave Aldrich "positive references to future employers" despite knowledge of prior sexual assault allegations. Aldrich admitted to sexually assaulting the player in 2013.

The Blackhawks player who told The Athletic everybody on the team was aware of the allegations is frustrated the Hawks didn't do anything with the information provided by members of the roster.

"That doesn't bother me, that they let him take pictures with the Cup," he said. "What bothers me is they fired him, but they didn't take it to the cops. ... They let him get a job with a U-18 team. They let him go work with minors. They let this happen."

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly released a statement to The Athletic about the allegations: "We have been in contact with the Club regarding the matter but there is no ongoing investigation. We do not have any further comment at this time."

Aldrich told The Athletic he had "no comment" when asked six questions about the allegations.

The Chicago Blackhawks failed to aid police with an investigation into their former video coach, Bradley Aldrich, over potential unwanted sexual contact with minors and young adult men, according to WBEZ's Tony Arnold and Dave McKinney.

Aldrich pleaded guilty to criminal sexual conduct toward a Michigan high school hockey player in 2013, but police reports obtained by Arnold and McKinney show that he was investigated for other alleged "inappropriate" and "uncomfortable" sexual contact before that. The Blackhawks reportedly declined to provide any information without a court order.

Per Arnold and McKinney:

The police report obtained by WBEZ from the Houghton, Mich., Police Department outlines repeated allegations of a sexual nature against Aldrich during his time as an assistant high school hockey coach there after departing both the Blackhawks and Miami University.

The heavily redacted report reveals that police in the remote city about 420 miles due north of Chicago investigated at least two previously unreported instances of alleged 'inappropriate' and 'uncomfortable' sexual contact by Aldrich prior to the fall 2013 criminal investigation.

The report discloses how Houghton police contacted the Blackhawks about Aldrich's time with the team, but the franchise's front office would only confirm the former coach was once an employee.

On June 1, TSN's Rick Westhead reported that a former high school hockey player was suing the Blackhawks for allegedly providing Aldrich a "positive employment reference despite knowing he was a sexual predator."

The lawsuit came weeks after a former Blackhawks player sued the franchise. The player, known as John Doe, said that Aldrich assaulted him in 2010 and sent him inappropriate and threatening texts. The player also said that the team's mental skills coach, James F. Gary, convinced him that he was at fault.

Westhead also reported that senior management chose not to contact Chicago police during the 2010 playoffs after two players said that Aldrich sexually assaulted them at his apartment during the regular season. Chicago would go onto win the first of three Stanley Cups in six years that June.

Westhead reported that the two Blackhawks players told then-skills coach Paul Vincent about being assaulted and Vincent shared what the players told him with general manager Stan Bowman, then-president John McDonough, vice president of hockey operations Al MacIssac and sports psychologist James Gary during a meeting on May 17, 2010, at a hotel in San Jose, California.

Bowman and MacIssac are still in key leadership roles.

Before joining Chicago in 2008, Aldrich worked for the University of Notre Dame. He joined Miami University (Ohio) as director of hockey operations in 2012. Aldrich also served as the video coach for the silver-medal-winning U.S. Men's National Hockey Team at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

An attorney for Miami University told police Aldrich resigned in 2012 "under suspicion of unwanted touching of a male adult," before he began coaching high school hockey in Michigan.

Arnold and McKinney reported the university has since opened an internal investigation.

Lawyers for the Blackhawks filed a statement of defense on June 14 arguing the former player's case be dismissed because of Illinois' statute of limitations. The team also told Arnold and McKinney it takes the allegations "very seriously" but said the lawsuits "lack merit, and we are confident the team will be absolved of any wrongdoing."

"The Blackhawks are an organization very worried about its reputation, perception and history," the player told Arnold and McKinney. "They have a proven track record of cover-ups, including this abuse."

Chicago Blackhawks management reportedly refused to file a police report after two players accused former video coach Brad Aldrich of sexually assaulting them in 2010.

Rick Westhead of TSN reported former skills coach Paul Vincent approached then-Blackhawks president John McDonough, vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, general manager Stan Bowman and team sports psychologist James Gary to inform them of the alleged assaults. Vincent allegedly pushed management to file a police report, but the request was refused.

The Blackhawks are the subject of two lawsuits related to the behavior of Aldrich. One lawsuit was filed by an unnamed former player who says he and another player were assaulted by Aldrich. The other was filed by a former high school athlete who alleges Aldrich assaulted him after the Blackhawks gave Aldrich a positive letter of recommendation that led to his hiring as an assistant coach for a high school team.

Aldrich pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct with a high school student in 2014 and was sentenced to nine months in jail.

The former Blackhawks player who filed suit says Aldrich threatened him "physically, financially and emotionally" in order to coerce him into sexual acts. The abuse allegedly took place during the 2009-10 season.

According to Westhead, the players approached Vincent and said Aldrich "had gotten them drunk in his apartment, watched pornography and then tried to perform oral sex on them." The lawsuit says Vincent directed them to Gary, who told a player "the sexual assault was his fault, that he was culpable for what had happened, [and had] made mistakes during his encounter with the perpetrator and permitted the sexual assault to occur."

The Blackhawks have asked for the suit to be thrown out, citing a statute of limitations. 

Chicago Blackhawks TV announcer Pat Foley apologized after his on-air suicide reference during Monday's game against the Dallas Stars, via Phil Rosenthal of the Chicago Tribune.

Discussing the NHL's COVID-19 pandemic protocols, Foley said he would not have been able to follow the rules.

"Had I been traveling with the team this year, I might have put a bullet in my head," he said on NBC Sports Chicago.

The veteran announcer called games remotely this season rather than follow the team for road games. Those in the traveling parties were required to follow strict protocols during the year to limit the spread of the coronavirus, including the consistent use of masks as well as minimal travel outside the hotel.

Players were not allowed to go to restaurants or bars during the season.

After Foley's remark was criticized on social media, the announcer apologized.

"I wish I didn't say that," he said on Monday's broadcast. "I'm sorry if I offended some folks. Apparently I did, so I apologize."

Foley has been announcing games for the Blackhawks for 38 years either on television or the radio. Monday's game was the final one of the year for the squad, which failed to earn a playoff spot after finishing 24-25-7.

Chicago Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw announced his retirement from the NHL on Monday after suffering several concussions during his career.

"I want people to know that I'm OK," Shaw told ESPN's Emily Kaplan. "I'm in a good place. But I'm going to miss it; I'm going to miss it like crazy still."

Shaw, 29, spent seven seasons with the Blackhawks and three with the Montreal Canadiens after being taken No. 139 overall in the 2011 NHL draft. He recorded 247 points (116 goals, 131 assists) during his career but regularly missed stretches of time because of concussions.

A concussion suffered during the 2019-20 season cost him more than a year of action. His latest concussion came in February during a game against the Dallas Stars. 

"I know I only played 14 games [this season], but to work your way back, when people are telling you that you should be done, and people are doubting you could make it back, it was worth it," Shaw said. "I took my time, I made sure I was feeling 100 percent. And then to score a few goals at the UC [United Center] again, it was worth it. I wouldn't change it at all."

Advances in sports medicine have increased the knowledge among athletes regarding the long-term impact of concussions. Several hockey players have been diagnosed with chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a degenerative brain disease that researchers have linked to repetitive long-term brain injuries. Players with repeated history of concussions are known to be at a greater risk of developing CTE. 

Shaw said that, despite wanting to continue his career, he knows the best move for his long-term health is to walk away. 

When Corey Crawford signed a two-year, $7.8 million contract with the New Jersey Devils on Oct. 9, all indications were that he still wanted to play hockey and believed he was capable of playing at a high level. It was the next chapter in a storied career for the longtime Chicago Blackhawks netminder. 

But a career that included the highest of highs and the lowest of lows came to a surprising end Saturday when he announced his retirement after 13 seasons before playing a game with the Devils. 

"I have been fortunate to have had a long career playing professional hockey for a living," Crawford said in a statement released by the NHLPA. "I wanted to continue my career, but believe I've given all I can to the game of hockey, and I have decided that it is time to retire. I would like to thank the New Jersey Devils organization for understanding and supporting my decision."

The news came after a week of speculation about his desire to continue playing and one day after he was granted a leave of absence.

The 36-year-old did not cite concussions as his reason for retirement, but they are a part of his story. He missed 80 games over his last three seasons with post-concussive syndrome after a concussion suffered at some point in December 2017. He suffered another one a year later, which was not as serious but started a cycle of symptoms all over again. 

"There's blurred vision, and I didn't really realize how bad it was until now where I'm [back to normal]," Crawford told Jason Lieser of the Chicago Sun-Times in April 2019. "The pain wasn't the worst pain in the world, but it was still kind of annoying day in, day out, 24 hours a day. After going through it and seeing how good I feel now, you realize, wow, that wasn't fun."

Crawford returned from his time out with head injuries to his elite form, but the bigger story is that he was consistently among the NHL's elite goalies throughout his career even if he wasn't always recognized for it. 

"The thing with Chicago is that we've always had a lot of good players come through here that deserve credit in their own right, so sometimes it gets passed around a little bit," defenseman Duncan Keith told reporters over Zoom on Saturday. "But guys in the room sure noticed it and knew what Crow brought to the team each and every night. There was never any sort of feeling of him being underrated in our group."

The Chateauguay, Quebec, native was selected 52nd overall in the 2003 draft by the Blackhawks amid a four-year career with the Moncton Wildcats of the QMJHL. He debuted in the NHL on Jan. 22, 2006, and he took over as Chicago's starter as a rookie during the 2010-11 season. 

Crow, as he came to be known by Blackhawks teammates and fans, was a model of consistency. He posted a .917 save percentage or better in eight of 10 full seasons, won the Jennings Trophy twice and helped the Blackhawks win Stanley Cup championships in 2013 and 2015. He nearly helped them get there in 2014, but Chicago lost to the eventual champion Los Angeles Kings in the Western Conference Final.

"He was an unbelievable player and obviously a big part of our championships here. A big part of the organization for the past 10-15 years," right winger Patrick Kane said in a Zoom press conference. "We talk about his even-keel demeanor, but he got up for those big games, and he shined in those big games as well."

He set records for postseason wins in Chicago (52) and helped the Blackhawks to a surprising postseason appearance last year. But beyond the numbers, he was known for his genuine personality. 

"Over the years, you have a lot of friends and family that come to visit, and if you play with a guy long enough, you get to know their friends and family and people outside of the rink," Keith said. "One thing my friends always said about Corey was that they always thought he was the nicest guy. They always thought he was such a nice guy taking the time to talk to them and that he was a really down-to-earth guy. 

"I think that says a lot about him."

There has been some talk about the organization signing Crawford to a ceremonial contract in order for him to retire with the only organization he ever really knew in the NHL. Head coach Jeremy Colliton, who has known Crawford since junior hockey, says it would be nice but is ultimately unnecessary. 

"He's a Blackhawk," he said. 

To say that Crawford's retirement leaves the Devils in a difficult spot is an understatement. 

New Jersey was hoping he could split the workload with Mackenzie Blackwood, as well as act as a mentor of sorts. In a normal year, the Devils could sign a free agent as a stopgap measure or get a goalie out of Europe. But this year is anything but normal, and the decision has ripple effects that will reach down to their American Hockey League affiliate. 

Scott Wedgewood will now back up Blackwood, and head coach Lindy Ruff said the club may have to alter its plans to have its goalies split time.

With the new taxi squad rules in place for the season, each team has to have three active goalies at all times. This is a crucial development year for the Devils, so it would benefit them to have their two best AHL goalies, Evan Cormier and Gilles Senn, stay with the Binghamton Devils. But that may not be possible. 

Crawford consulted with Ruff, general manager Tom Fitzgerald and former Hall of Fame goalie Martin Brodeur before retiring, but it was clear to the Devils' brass that he was struggling to make a decision. 

"This was something that was on his mind from the get-go," Ruff said. "Simple as that."

Crawford's life is different now with two small kids at home, and his head and heart are firmly with his family, not on the ice in Newark.

"I would like to thank the Chicago Blackhawks organization for giving me the chance to live my childhood dream," he said. "I am proud to have been part of winning two Stanley Cups in Chicago. Thank you to all of my teammates and coaches throughout the years. Also, thank you to the fans who make this great game what it is. I am happy and excited to move on to the next chapter of my life with my family.”

The Chicago Blackhawks announced Tuesday that veteran center and team captain Jonathan Toews will be out indefinitely with an unspecified medical issue. 

Toews said the following regarding his status in a statement:

"This offseason, I've been experiencing symptoms that have left me feeling drained and lethargic. I am working with doctors so I can better understand my condition.

"Until I can get my health back to a place where I feel I can perform at an elite level and help my team, I will not be joining the Blackhawks for training camp. I do not have a timetable for when I will rejoin the team. I am extremely disappointed, but it wouldn't be fair to myself or my teammates to attempt to play in my current condition."

The 32-year-old has been fairly durable in recent years, appearing in at least 70 games in each of the last seven seasons for one of the league's marquee franchises.

He played a crucial part in Chicago's three Stanley Cup titles since 2010. He won the 2009-10 Conn Smythe and 2012-13 Selke Trophy and scored at least 18 goals every season of his 13-year career.

Last season, Toews netted a career-low 18 goals in 70 games, but he was still highly productive with 60 points, which was his second-best total since 2014-15.

While the Blackhawks rely on his veteran leadership on the frontline, they do have plenty of weapons to carry the offensive load in his absence should he not be ready for the start of the 2021 season in January.

Patrick Kane is one of the most electrifying players in the league, Dylan Strome can occupy the center spot, and Alex DeBrincat and Dominik Kubalik are likely to help pick up the slack without Toews.

Chicago could use Toews back and healthy before the stretch run in the race to the Stanley Cup playoffs, but it does have enough pieces to remain afloat if he misses significant time.