Following Kyle Beach's allegations in 2021, a second "Black Ace" from Chicago's 2010 Stanley Cup team is claiming he was a victim of former video coach Brad Aldrich in a "John Doe" complaint.

A second player from the Chicago Blackhawks 2009-10 Stanley Cup winning team has sued the club for mishandling alleged sexual assaults in 2010 by former video coach Brad Aldrich.

Phillip Thompson of the Chicago Tribune first reported the suit on Sunday. See https://www.rblaw.net/news-lawsuit-chicago-blackhawks-ex-player-sexual-assault-coach?fbclid=IwAR2ibtFabJcVrK8NIjw6C-yqrY8QeOWa5T9zzS70oZE3dZ0X7TWlJX09IPg

Per the Tribune story, the player claims Aldrich “groomed, harassed, threatened and assaulted” him during the 2009-10 season and that the Hawks "suppressed his complaint to protect their Stanley Cup championship run."

The player's law firm, Chicago-based Romanucci & Blandin, LLC will discuss the lawsuit "against the Chicago Blackhawk Hockey Team for the sexual abuse and harassment of a player and cover-up of the abuse" on Monday.

Like Kyle Beach, A Black Ace

Former Blackhawks first-round draft pick Kyle Beach first filed a suit, came forward, and then reached a settlement with the team on similar allegations in 2021. The new suit is from a player, who like Beach, was one of the team's "Black Aces" during its postseason march to the 2010 Stanley Cup.

"Black Aces" are minor-league pros and prospects who are called up during a playoff run. They practice with the team, but usually only play in case of an injury to a regular or if an established player slumps.

WHAT CHANGED? This second "Black Ace" had testified before. Now claims he was a victim.

Testimony from the player, identified as John Doe in the new complaint, was included in a report commissioned by the Blackhawks in 2021 and conducted by long-established Chicago law firm Jenner & Block. In that report the player, identified as "Black Ace 1," discussed what he witnessed in Aldrich's behavior, Aldrich's actions toward Beach and attempts to inform the the Blackhawks coaching staff and management. 

However, the new "John Doe" did not claim he was victimized by Aldrich at that time. Now he has.

In his complaint, the player alleges Aldrich invited “Black Aces” players to his home to discuss hockey matters, but then tried to make players watch porn films with him. "Doe" accuses Aldrich of offering to perform sex acts and approaching him from behind and pushing against him through his clothes.

In a statement to the Tribune, the Blackhawks declined to comment on details of the latest lawsuit. The team said it takes allegations of workplace misconduct seriously and two years ago initiated the Jenner & Block investigation. 

“We’ve changed as a result of what happened and implemented numerous positive improvements throughout our organization to ensure the safety and well-being of our players and employees,” the Blackhawks said. “This includes completely rebuilding the leadership team with personnel who demonstrate our values and bring the right subject matter expertise in the critical areas of compliance and human resources, an expansive mental health program, and new reporting mechanisms and training for all employees.”

John McDonough, the Blackhawks president in 2010, was "released" by the team in April 2020 for angering ownership and many of his staff followed. Senior members of Chicago's hockey operations department, starting with GM Stan Bowman, resigned or were fired in October 2021 in the wake of the Jenner & Block report findings.

Romanucci & Blandin said it will provide additional details on the lawsuit to media on Monday. "John Doe" will not be present or give interviews, but the firm plans to stream its press event on its Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RomanucciBlandin

Aldrich Sentenced in Criminal Case

After leaving the Blackhawks in 2010, Aldrich was charged with sexually assaulting a 16-year-old high school hockey player in Houghton, Michigan in 2012. 

The incident took place at a party where teens had been drinking alcohol. Aldrich pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual assault in December 2013 and was sentenced to nine months in jail. He was released in 2014.

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