The Blackhawks and the Kyle Beach situation

[ChiHawks10]

Yep, every hockey fan should remember that the Hawks were really never held accountable for Aldrich. Arizona lost a first for ... improper scouting?

I get that it's good for stars to be in big US markets, with original Six teams. Too much money, too many jobs at stake to let Bedard go to a "minor" club like Columbus or Anaheim. Gary works for the owners. We lap up the product.

The Hawks wrote a letter of recommendation for a sexual predator.

Good read: In ex-Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich’s remote hometown, residents reckon with the misdeeds of a former local hero

Does anyone read anymore? This never happened...

"After leaving his employment with the Blackhawks, Aldrich went on to work and volunteer at USA Hockey, the University of Notre Dame, Miami University of Ohio, and Houghton High School.621 None of the witnesses we interviewed recalled anyone at the Blackhawks providing a written or verbal reference for Aldrich to his future employers. When interviewed, Aldrich stated that he did not list any Blackhawks employees as references on job applications, nor did he ask anyone from the Blackhawks to vouch for him or make any calls on his behalf.622 USA Hockey reported to us that they identified no records reflecting 64 a reference provided for Aldrich by the Blackhawks.623 We gathered records from Miami University regarding Aldrich’s employment and found no evidence of references, whether written or oral, provided by the Blackhawks. Miami University published an investigative report on September 24, 2021, which stated that Aldrich did not provide references on his resume when he applied to Miami, that the then-head coach of Miami University’s hockey team received Aldrich’s name from the coach’s collegiate hockey connections, and that the head coach and others spoke to the University of Notre Dame about Aldrich and received favorable information.624 The Miami investigative report does not describe any references provided by the Blackhawks.625 The University of Notre Dame declined to share information or records with us, other than to confirm Aldrich’s dates of employment at the university."

 

[gigachad1991]

That man has made more than $5M since the lottery in season ticket sales. And the value of the club itself with a marketable asset like Bedard is going to rise as high as Edmonton's did post-McDavid's arrival. Especially in a market like Chicago.

 

[norrisnick]

I think if people would read the investigation's report, they'd see things somewhat differently, but it's much easier to just scream and holler without putting in any work to have an informed response.

There was a meeting about a coach "making sexual advances" immediately after the Hawks won game 4 in the WCF against the Sharks, at the stadium(or the hotel), I can't remember offhand right now which place. And the President of the organization stated "I'll handle it." I would think most in the organization assume at that point that it's handled.

Knowing who John McDouchebag is as a person... it's not shocking that he did nothing at that point. Which is why his was the first head to roll.

https://www.jenner.com/a/web/8kmbgFUEYWcNnvzFTa5h8H/4HRMZQ/Report%2520to%2520the%2520Chicago%2520Blackhawks%2520Hockey%2520Team%2520-%2520October%25202021.pdf

The trick is "I'll handle it" equated to pushing the event/parties out of sight out of mind so as not to disrupt the 2010 playoff run, rather than actually dealing with it right then and there. It was self-serving by the organization to minimize distraction and no one bothered to follow up on any of it. Neither from the bottom up nor the top down to verify that the situation was indeed appropriately handled.

So to the OPs point, the way the situation was handled very clearly had a competitive impact. It very clearly had a financial impact. And the Wirtzes keep on Wirtzing.

 

[gigachad1991]

Re Wirtz video

Some degenerate in your organization you’ve never even met let alone heard of rapes someone.

I’d be frustrated too. Guy is probably thinking “fml.” It was just an emotional reaction and they were just words. Relax lmao

 

[Mickey Redmond]

You seem to be missing the point. We know that now. We dont know who knew what at the time. That was the full issue on Mcdonaugh waiting 3 weeks to report to HR about the unwanted sexual advances.

It wasn’t just “unwanted sexual advances” try reading the affidavit: Beach had to room with Aldrich on the road. Without being too graphic, Beach woke up to Aldrich with his hand around his penis, manually stimulating him. In any number of states, including Illinois I suspect, that constitutes as rape.

 

[ChiHawks10]

Re Wirtz video

Some degenerate in your organization you’ve never even met let alone heard of rapes someone.

I’d be frustrated too. It was just an emotional reaction and they were just words. Relax lmao

He was an asshole about it. No doubt. And Hawks fans were rightfully pissed at him when this happened, also. After that video, he has essentially removed himself from anything Hawks related and focuses on his liquor business, and his son runs, and is the face of the team, from an ownership standpoint.

 

[Chelios]

So your argument is it’s OK because they thought it was only sexual harassment they ignored not rape? I stopped reading after 1) because that’s just ludicrous.

Where did I say it was OK?

 

[norrisnick]

Does anyone read anymore? This never happened...

"The University of Notre Dame declined to share information or records with us, other than to confirm Aldrich’s dates of employment at the university."

I don't know, do they?

How can you make such a declarative statement when there is no information from Notre Dame?

Sidebar... where did Stan Bowman go to college?

 

[ChiHawks10]

It wasn’t just “unwanted sexual advances” try reading the affidavit: Beach had to room with Aldrich on the road. Without being too graphic, Beach woke up to Aldrich with his hand around his penis, manually stimulating him. In any number of states, including Illinois I suspect, that constitutes as rape.

Read the report. At the time this first came into knowledge by the Blackhawks front office, at the conclusion of game 4 of the WCF in San Jose, it was thought that this was "unwanted sexual advances". The chronology and details of everything are all laid out in the report.

https://www.jenner.com/a/web/8kmbgFUEYWcNnvzFTa5h8H/4HRMZQ/Report%2520to%2520the%2520Chicago%2520Blackhawks%2520Hockey%2520Team%2520-%2520October%25202021.pdf

 

[BHawk21]

The trick is "I'll handle it" equated to pushing the event/parties out of sight out of mind so as not to disrupt the 2010 playoff run, rather than actually dealing with it right then and there. It was self-serving by the organization to minimize distraction and no one bothered to follow up on any of it. Neither from the bottom up nor the top down to verify that the situation was indeed appropriately handled.

So to the OPs point, the way the situation was handled very clearly had a competitive impact. It very clearly had a financial impact. And the Wirtzes keep on Wirtzing.

so what are you looking for? A bigger fine? Draft picks taken? Everyone is fired and out of hockey and fines and settlements paid. Or you just didnt get the karmic payback that you wanted?

 

[monkforasia]

I don't know, do they?

How can you make such a declarative statement when there is no information from Notre Dame?

Sidebar... where did Stan Bowman go to college?

The same could be applied to you. So many hypocrites in this forum. It's astonishing.

 

[WarriorofTime]

The trick is "I'll handle it" equated to pushing the event/parties out of sight out of mind so as not to disrupt the 2010 playoff run, rather than actually dealing with it right then and there.

Dude, everyone knows McDonough messed up in a big way, he's not allowed to work in hockey again.

 

[ChiHawks10]

I don't know, do they?

How can you make such a declarative statement when there is no information from Notre Dame?

Sidebar... where did Stan Bowman go to college?

Notre Dame didn't comment because THEY provided Miami with positive recommendation...

Again... read.

Jesus, this isn't hard.

The Blackhawks did not provide any recommendation to anyone. Period.

"After leaving his employment with the Blackhawks, Aldrich went on to work and volunteer at USA Hockey, the University of Notre Dame, Miami University of Ohio, and Houghton High School.621 None of the witnesses we interviewed recalled anyone at the Blackhawks providing a written or verbal reference for Aldrich to his future employers. When interviewed, Aldrich stated that he did not list any Blackhawks employees as references on job applications, nor did he ask anyone from the Blackhawks to vouch for him or make any calls on his behalf.622 USA Hockey reported to us that they identified no records reflecting 64 a reference provided for Aldrich by the Blackhawks.623 We gathered records from Miami University regarding Aldrich’s employment and found no evidence of references, whether written or oral, provided by the Blackhawks. Miami University published an investigative report on September 24, 2021, which stated that Aldrich did not provide references on his resume when he applied to Miami, that the then-head coach of Miami University’s hockey team received Aldrich’s name from the coach’s collegiate hockey connections, and that the head coach and others spoke to the University of Notre Dame about Aldrich and received favorable information.624 The Miami investigative report does not describe any references provided by the Blackhawks.625 The University of Notre Dame declined to share information or records with us, other than to confirm Aldrich’s dates of employment at the university."

 

[RedHawkDown]

This was not a part of the story at the time.

https://www.jenner.com/a/web/8kmbgFUEYWcNnvzFTa5h8H/4HRMZQ/Report%2520to%2520the%2520Chicago%2520Blackhawks%2520Hockey%2520Team%2520-%2520October%25202021.pdf

I urge you to read this. It depends on if you believe the many people being interviewed.

Yes, I have read it. “Pressure to have sex” by an employee in a position of power over another employee is easily grounds for an investigation into whether an assault may have occurred. You think if that was reported at, let’s say, Deloitte, that HR wouldn’t be on it like a hawk? Cmon.

 

[BHawk21]

I don't know, do they?

How can you make such a declarative statement when there is no information from Notre Dame?

Sidebar... where did Stan Bowman go to college?

You have to be very mad at Miami OH as well and the NHL players union. So many people screwed this up and let this POS keep moving without getting caught.

 

[Chelios]

Yes it is. It’s sexual harassment. Especially if the pressure is applied as a factor of a workplace review.

It is a bit unclear about whether or not Gary included any mention of Aldridge using Beach's career against him in what he told the organization. I agree, if that was indeed part of what was told to the people in that meeting it should have escalated the response.

 

[IceManCat]

Some bad decisions by a handful of people doesn't create "negative karma" 10 years later. The issue should have been dealt with by the NHL when it happened rather than a "sorry saving face" 10 years later.

 

[Mickey Redmond]

Read the report. At the time this first came into knowledge by the Blackhawks front office, it was thought that this was "unwanted sexual advances". The chronology and details are all laid out in the report.

https://www.jenner.com/a/web/8kmbgFUEYWcNnvzFTa5h8H/4HRMZQ/Report%2520to%2520the%2520Chicago%2520Blackhawks%2520Hockey%2520Team%2520-%2520October%25202021.pdf

Regardless, it should’ve been addressed immediately before it could progress into what it did. Even after the sexual assault/rape the Blackhawks didn’t actually do anything about it. Agreed to mutually part ways with Aldrich and hoped it didn’t get out.

 

[Chelios]

I take issue with the bolded, as taunting is not reserved only for players who are "threats". I am not sure why you would make that assumption in the first place.

My assumption is based on the fact that none of the players questioned report hearing any of that at the training camp. I don't have the training camp schedule in front of me, but to me it is logical that A) his fellow black aces would be much more likely to have heard something happened earlier than the established players. It details in the report how separated the two groups were and how much downtime the black aces had during that run. B) Those black aces and Rockford teammates would be much more likely to be sharing the ice more often during training camp, as the more established players are often put in separate groups.

 

[SavBigMoneyAtBedards]

I did read it and stand by what I said. The team learned of the allegation and chose to continue focusing on play instead of halting everything to investigate. That was a serious mistake that should have been punished. Simply letting someone in the organization "handle it" while advocating for not letting it be a distraction is not acceptable.

It wasn't just "someone" in the organization.
It was the President and CEO.

I'm not excusing the other members of management, they all deserved to be fired (and were,) but the greatest blame should be on McDonough. He handled it by letting the perv go and pretending it never happened.

 

[LeafGrief]

The calls to punish the Blackhawks with the loss of a first round pick is pure virtue signalling. Why on earth should the players and fans of the organization be punished for something entirely out of their hands a decade ago and that has nothing to do with the competitive environment? This is the difference between social justice and real justice. Real justice for Kyle Beach has absolutely nothing to do with the Blackhawks draft picks, that’s social justice for the NHL (and especially fans) to signal their virtue.

Real justice comes from criminal proceedings and a day in court for the truth to come out. Social justice is tarring and feathering everyone involved from behind keyboards and monitors. I get that we all want to stand with the survivors of sexual violence, but posting about it on HFboards isn’t how you do it.

 

[IceManCat]

Florida was punished for Chicago’s mishandling. The league never atoned for that.

Yeap... Cost a potential Stanley Cup. All the power to Beach for coming forward, but man his timing just obliterated us.

 

[BHawk21]

Yes, I have read it. “Pressure to have sex” by an employee in a position of power over another employee is easily grounds for an investigation into whether an assault may have occurred. You think if that was reported at, let’s say, Deloitte, that HR wouldn’t be on it like a hawk? Cmon.

Yes and Mcdonaugh reported in to HR 3 weeks too late. Once they did Aldrich was let go. Anyone who knew about Aldrich trying to hook up with Beach for those 3 weeks is fired and not working in hockey.

 

[norrisnick]

He was an asshole about it. No doubt. And Hawks fans were rightfully pissed at him when this happened, also. After that video, he has essentially removed himself from anything Hawks related and focuses on his liquor business, and his son runs, and is the face of the team, from an ownership standpoint.

Except financially of course.

 

[ChiHawks10]

Regardless, it should’ve been addressed immediately before it could progress into what it did. Even after the sexual assault/rape the Blackhawks didn’t actually do anything about it. Agreed to mutually part ways with Aldrich and hoped it didn’t get out.

The President of the organization stated "I'll handle it." when he was made aware in San Jose. I would think most people would expect that the President of the organization, the highest position of power within the organization, outside the owner, would be handling it at that point. They dropped the ball by not realizing what a gigantic piece of shit McDonough is, and that he, in fact, wasn't handling anything, until 3 weeks later... They all got fired. Him first.