As an independent report on the Chicago Blackhawks' handling of a 2010 sexual-assault allegation continued, the former player whose complaint was at the heart of the scandal revealed his identity in a televised interview, The Chicago Tribune reported.
Kyle Beach, a Blackhawks center prospect during 2009-13, revealed himself as "John Doe"the pseudonym used in a negligence lawsuit against the teamduring an interview on Canada's The Sports Network on Oct. 27. Beach now plays pro hockey in Germany for the TecArt BlackDragons.
Talking about his alleged May 2010 encounter with then-Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich, Beach, 31, said, "To be honest, I was scared mostly. I was fearful. I had my career threatened. I felt alone and dark. And I didn't know what to do as a 20-year-old. I would never dream, or you could never imagine being put in this situation by somebody who's supposed to be there to help you and to make you a better hockey player and a better person and continue to build your career."
Beach added that watching Aldrich remain with the team through the Stanley Cup playoffs and the championship celebration made him "sick to my stomach."
The team issued a media statement saying, "First, we would like to acknowledge and commend Kyle Beach's courage in coming forward. As an organization, the Chicago Blackhawks reiterate our deepest apologies to him for what he has gone through and for the organization's failure to promptly respond when he bravely brought this matter to light in 2010. It was inexcusable for the then-executives of the Blackhawks organization to delay taking action regarding the reported sexual misconduct. No playoff game or championship is more important than protecting our players and staff from predatory behavior.
"The Blackhawks have implemented numerous changes and improvements within the organization, including hiring a new leadership team that is committed to winning championships while adhering to the highest ethical, professional, and athletic standards."
The Blackhawks have won six Stanley Cup championshipsin 1933, 1937, 1961, 2010, 2013 and 2015.