The Blackhawks established themselves as one of hockey’s greatest modern-day dynasties during the early 2010s, capturing three Stanley Cups in six seasons, a fairly unprecedented feat in one of North American sport’s most parity-driven leagues.
Yet their on-ice success was marred by an off-ice incident — and subsequent cover-up — whose aftershocks linger more than a decade later.
In 2010, a then-Blackhawks prospect accused former video coach Brad Aldrich of sexual assault. The organization — helmed at the time by head coach Joel Qunneville, general manager Stan Bowman and senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac — delayed investigating the player’s claims. It took more than a decade for the details of Aldrich’s alleged assault to be made public. But when they were, the NHL landscape was changed markedly.
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With that, The Sporting News takes a closer look at the Blackhawks’ sexual assault scandal, from Quenneville’s involvement to its ramifications all these years later.
Joel Quenneville controversy, explained
Quenneville racked up a treasure trove of trophies during his time with the Blackhawks, hoisting three Stanley Cups and a Presidents’ Trophy across 11 seasons in the Windy City. His Blackhawks career came to a close in 2018 after he was sacked amid a 6-6-3 start to the year. But he still retained his status as one of hockey’s most sought-after coaches, landing a gig with the Panthers in 2019.
In 2021, all of that came crashing down, however. Quenneville and former Chicago executives Stan Bowman and Al MacIsaac were stripped of their roles and banned from the league after an independent investigation into allegations of sexual assault by former video coach Brad Aldrich revealed Blackhawks brass — including Quenneville — violated the organization’s sexual harassment policy.
The claims, lodged by former prospect Kyle Beach, assert that Aldrich sexually assaulted the then-20-year-old during Chicago’s postseason run back in 2010. The incident, which occurred on either May 8 or May 9, saw Aldrich reportedly threaten Beach by telling him he “needed to act like he enjoyed the sexual encounter or John Doe would never play in the NHL ‘or walk’ again.”
Quenneville denied claims that he had knowledge of Aldrich’s alleged sexual assault. However, the investigation revealed that Quenneville was called into a meeting to discuss the Aldrich incident shortly after the Blackhawks bested the Sharks to advance to the Stanley Cup Finals. He was said to be more concerned about Chicago’s playoff run than the nature of Beach’s allegations towards Aldrich.
There was no evidence that the meeting, which also involved Bowman, MacIsaac and a handful of other decision-makers in the Blackhawks’ ranks, resulted in any action taken against Aldrich. He was allowed to remain on staff throughout Chicago’s Stanley Cup joust with the Flyers.
On June 9, 2010, the Blackhawks hoisted the Cup. On June 10, 2010, Aldrich made sexual advances towards and physically touched a 22-year old intern.
Aldrich quietly resigned from the organization a week after its Stanley Cup triumph. He was given a severance and playoff bonus. He also had his name engraved on the famous trophy, enjoyed a day with the Cup, received a championship banner and attended the banner-raising ceremony.
On Oct. 27, 2021, Quenneville resigned from his post with Florida. He issued a statement apologizing to Beach for his actions:
“I want to express my sorrow for the pain this young man, Kyle Beach, has suffered. My former team – the Blackhawks — failed Kyle and I own my share of that. I want to reflect on how all this happened and take the time to educate myself on ensuring hockey spaces are safe for everyone.”
Commissioner Gary Bettman announced that Quenneville would have to meet with him before being allowed to work in the NHL again.
In 2024, the league reinstated Quenneville, Bowman and MacIsaac. Quenneville was hired as head coach of the Ducks in May 2025.
Blackhawks 2010 sexual assault scandal
On May 8 or May 9, 2010, Aldrich reportedly sexually assaulted Beach. The then-Blackhawks prospect was called up to serve as a “Black Ace” — a minor-leaguer who practices with the team and is eligible to play in the case of injury or suspension of a rostered player.
According to the investigation, Aldrich invited Beach over, claiming he “had the power” to get the then-20-year old on Chicago’s postseason roster. Aldrich turned on pornography and threatened Beach, telling him he needed to act like he enjoyed the sexual encounter or he’d prevent him from playing in the NHL or “walk” again. Beach told investigators that Aldrich threatened him with a baseball bat before forcibly performing oral sex and masturbating on Beach’s back.
Aldrich claimed the encounter was consensual, while Beach called it “entirely non-consensual.”
Beach reported the incident to the team’s skating coach Paul Vincent. The news eventually got back to MacIsaac, who told then-mental skills coach Jim Gary.
On May 23, 2010, Quenneville, Bowman, MacIsaac, Gary and fellow decision-makers John McDonough, Kevin Cheveldayoff and Jay Blunk met to discuss Beach’s allegations. No action was taken for three weeks following the incident, with Bowman recalling that Quenneville expressed concern over how the accusations would affect the team’s performance.
There was no evidence that the organization’s human resources department investigated the incident before June 14, a delay that violated Chicago’s own sexual harassment policy.
Aldrich was allowed to continue working during the playoffs and reportedly made unwanted advances towards a 22-year-old intern during the Blackhawks’ championship celebration. He was also allowed to participate in the celebrations Beach attended.
On June 16, 2010 — more than a month after the alleged assault took place — Aldrich was given the option of resigning or being a part of an investigation into Beach’s allegations. He signed a separation agreement and no investigation was undertaken. In 2013, Aldrich was imprisoned for nine months for sexually assaulting a 16-year-old high-school player in Michigan.
In 2023, another player sued Chicago, claiming they covered up his sexual assault allegations against Aldrich, too. The player, also a 19-20-year-old Black Ace on the Blackhawks’ Stanley Cup-winning 2010 side, asserted that Aldrich “used his authority” to threaten him. He also accused Chicago of mishandling evidence and reporting related to Aldrich’s misconduct.
Who is Kyle Beach?
Beach is a former AHL player who spent four seasons in the Blackhawks’ minor-league system. A bruising power forward with a delicate shot to boot, Beach — a North Vancouver native — was a star at youth levels, claiming the WHL’s Rookie of the Year prize in 2006-07. Chicago selected him No. 11 overall in the 2008 NHL Draft.
Beach was unable to crack the major-league roster, with his 2010 Black Ace call-up serving as the closest he ever got to the bigs. He was dealt to the Rangers in 2013 and bounced around Europe before hanging up his skates following the 2021-22 season.
In October 2021, Beach confirmed himself to be “John Doe 1” — one of two players who the independent investigation centered on. He received an outpouring of support from some of sport’s biggest names, including Aly Raisman, Adam van Koeverden, Hayley Wickenheiser and Robin Lehner.
In late 2021, Beach and the Blackhawks reached an undisclosed settlement.
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