The National Hockey League and the Chicago Blackhawks now facing their own “Me Too” reckoning after a bombshell investigation revealed that the Blackhawks’ executive leadership, which included the Panther’s current head coach, failed to react in a swift manner to a serious sexual assault allegation within the team’s ranks.
As a result, Joel Quenneville is resigning as the Panther’s head coach and Andrew Brunette will take over as interim head coach of the cats.
Coach Q came under fire during an investigation into the Blackhawks abuse case found that as a team coach, he was aware Chicago video coach Brad Aldrich sexually assaulted a player in 2010 and did nothing about it.
John Doe, who just revealed his identity this week as former Blackhawks first-round draft pick Kyle Beach, says he felt abandoned by coaches who knew about the assault. He says he felt further victimized by the ones he says should have taken action when he told them about the assault.
Blackhawks Sexual Assault Investigation-Left Me Abandoned
Beach previously filed a negligence lawsuit against the Blackhawks over their handling of his sexual assault that remains ongoing.
Quenneville resigned with about three years and $15 million remaining on his contract with the Panthers. In a statement, Quenneville said he resigned “with deep regret and contrition.”
ESPN reports John Tortorella could be the next coach. The undefeated Panthers visit Detroit tonight.