2010 Stanley Cup, the year of sexual assault.

As a life long Blackhawks fan, the joy of watching Jonathan Toews lift the Stanley Cup above his head for the first time since 1961 was awesome. Being able to celebrate with my dad and grandfather gave me lasting memories I’ll never forget. Watching the parade, watching the banner being lifted the next season, going to the Blackhawks Convention, again, memories.

Now, 11 years later, we find out that those awesome memories and celebrations we had, weren’t so great for John Doe, who later turned out to be Kyle Beach. Beach had complained to team leaders back in 2010 that video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted him. Aldrich invited Beach to his apartment for dinner. It was during this time that he sexually assaulted Beach, threating Beach with his place on the team and ruining his hockey career if he didn’t comply.

Beach went to skills coach and team counselor, Jim Gary, confiding in him what had happened. Gary then went to upper management  President John McDonough, Executive Vice President Jay Blunk, Assistant General Manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and head coach Joel Quenneville.

What’s more important, a Cup or handling a sexual assault on a player who is not a team regular. Well, the organization thought the Cup was more important as they swept the allegations under the rug. They allowed Aldrich to continue on the team, get a Stanley Cup ring, celebrate with the team in the parade, all while Beach had to watch the guy who assaulted him, celebrate as if nothing happened.

During the off season, Aldrich was offered the choice of undergoing an investigation into the act, or resign. Of course, Aldrich resigned. Not only was he able to resign, he also received a severance package. Aldrich then went on to Houghton in Michigan. While there, he sexually assaulted a 16 year old member of the hockey team. Aldrich was investigation and was arrested and plead guilty. Once Beach heard about the arrest and what happened, he knew it was time to speak up again.

The Hawks finally did an investigation into the incident and it was found that Beach was telling the truth and upper management failed him. Coach Quenneville, now a coach in Florida, resigned from coaching yesterday. Kevin Cheveldayoff was found to not have knowledge of the incident, or rather not enough to hold him accountable. Stan Bowman was relieved of his duties as general manager.

The Hawks team that brought joy to millions of fans in 2010, has the fans pissed and embarrassed in 2021. Did Toews know? Did Kane? Apparently, there were jokes toward Beach in the locker room about Aldrich being his “boyfriend”. Owner Wirtz has asked the NHL to erase Aldrichs name from the 2010 cup. But, is that enough? Should the NHL strip the Stanley Cup win from the Hawks altogether?

As I’ve stated, I’m a life long Hawks fan. I believe the Hawks fucked up. I believe that they owe Beach a huge payout and an apology on national tv before a home game. If Toews knew about it, like many said he did, do you take away the “C” from someone who was just 22 years old at the time?

I don’t know the answer to any of this. I just know the Hawks organization has a reputation and respect that they have to earn back.

I’ve been lucky with the BlackHawks

A few exciting times as a Blackhawks fan

My dad, grandpa and our Chicago Blackhawks.

On June 1st, 1992 I remember going into my dads bedroom where he was layin down watching tv. I sat on the edge of the bed, wondering what he was watching.  Turns out it was game 4 of the 1992 Stanley Cup Finals, which was the Chicago Blackhawks vs Pittsburgh Penguins. I remember asking question after question and he was happy to answer, even though the Hawks were about to get swept in the Finals.  What I didn’t know at the time was just how much my dad enjoyed the Hawks.

It wasn’t until a few years later in 1994 when I was in 8th grade that I actually learned how much the Hawks meant. My dad surprised me with tickets to my first Hawks game.  He said he wanted me to experience the sights and smells of the old Chicago Stadium. Now if you have ever been to Chicago Stadium, you know that it was old, small, smelly, and loud.

Looking back now, the best part wasn’t going to the game, but hearing the stories that my dad had of being a kid and running up the stairs to get a good seat for my grandpa and cousin Kenny.  My dad would talk about my grandpa taking him to Mama Schiavone bar and how some of the players would go in after the games and would chat with my dad and grandpa while that drank.  The 60’s obviously were a different time, since a young kid in a bar wouldn’t fly today.  Now after hearing these stories about Mama Schiavone’s, I figured it was just a simple high five and that was it. Then, in 2013 at the Blackhawks convention, I had the opportunity to talk to Bobby Hull as he signed my tattoo.  Of course my dad took advantage of the situation and asked Bobby if he remembered that bar.  And wouldn’t you know it, Bobby remembered. Not only did he remember, but he remembered chatting with my dad and grandpa. Of course you could chalk it up to him just agreeing for the sake of agreement.  But he started talking about the same stuff my dad told me about.  So just as my dad had the memory of meeting Hull with my grandpa, I have the memory of meeting Hull with my dad.

As I’ve stated before in a prior post, there are certain things you do with your parents, grandparents, or any family member for that matter that will lead to traditions, and those that will be etched in your mind. So tonight, almost 4 months to the day that my grandpa passed, we sit here getting ready for game 1 of the 2017/2018 NHL season. My grandma, aunts, dad and mom are all here…and even though I look to my right and see an empty red chair, I know my grandpa is sitting there.