Bowman out, Cheveldayoff and Quenneville disgraced after Blackhawks investigation

Longtime Chicago Blackhawks general manager Stan Bowman has "stepped aside" from his position following today's release of an independent third party investigation into allegations that the team covered up a sexual abuse scandal from within the organization.

 Chicago law firm Jenner & Block released a report today implicating Bowman, then-Blackhawks assistant GM Kevin Cheveldayoff and then-head coach Joel Quenneville in the cover up of sexual abuse allegations levied against former team video coach Brad Aldrich.

Attorney Reid Schar outlined how the team's executive staff in 2010 swept Aldrich's assaults under the rug and enabled him to go on to commit even more crimes at his next job in the NCAA. Both Quenneville, now with the Florida Panthers, and Cheveldayoff, now with the Winnipeg Jets, have denied knowing anything about the allegations. But Schar has revealed both of these men to be liars.

Here's a breakdown from various reporters online, try to follow along:

Cheveldayoff in July, 2021: “I had no knowledge of any allegations involving Mr. Aldrich until asked if I was aware of anything just prior to the conclusion of his employment with the Chicago Blackhawks."

Quenneville in July, 2021: "I first learned of these allegations through the media earlier this summer."

More from Pope:

In fact, Aldrich was invited to "participate in celebrations in the presence of John Doe." Meaning that, Aldrich partied alongside his alleged victim after the team won the Stanley Cup in June, 2010. Sickening.

Not only did the Blackhawks enable Aldrich in his crimes, they celebrated alongside him. Disgusting.

As for Montreal Canadiens GM Marc Bergevin, who was with the Blackhawks in a executive role in 2010, he has not been implicated by today's findings.

"I was not part of any meeting and I was not part of any decision based on that. I was not aware of what was going on at the time," said Bergevin this past offseason. So far, that appears to be true and there is nothing in today's report that seems to implicate Bergevin. 

Stand by for more information.