Breaking: USA Hockey president Jim Smith under investigation

This just in courtesy of The Athletic's Katie Strang, USA Hockey president Jim Smith under investigation for handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse by a youth coach.

From Strang's article for The Athletic:

USA Hockey president Jim Smith is under investigation by the U.S. Center for SafeSport concerning his handling of allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse by a youth coach, The Athletic has learned. USA Hockey has also hired an independent investigator to probe Smith’s business dealings with an Illinois youth hockey affiliate.

Smith held various positions within the Amateur Hockey Association of Illinois (AHAI), including president (1985-88), when Tom “Chico” Adrahtas, a Chicago-area coach, allegedly sexually abused several junior players. Those allegations were revealed in a February 21 article in The Athletic. 

A former junior hockey team owner who employed Adrahtas alleges that he informed Smith way, way back in 1989 that Adrahtas was committing sexual abuse, but his warnings went unheeded. This same individual also claims that Smith had a long-standing concern about Adrahtas but never took action, either legally or personally to stop the abuse.

“In my time as president of AHAI, there were no reports alleging misconduct by Tom Adrahtas,” said Smith earlier this month when confronted with the allegations. 

“The U.S. Center for SafeSport has advised us they have taken jurisdiction and are investigating allegations that people within AHAI, including Jim Smith, were aware of sexual misconduct by Thomas Adrahtas and did not take action,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said via a spokesperson.

A former player sent a letter to AHAI back in 2010 detailing the sexual abuse he suffered from Adrahtas back in 1984. Adrahtas refuted the allegations and failed to show up for a AHAI hearing. As a result he was suspended indefinitely by the organization... yet he continued to coach Robert Morris University's men's hockey team for eight more years. In effect, the allegations were blown off and Adrahtas went back to coaching like normal... until today. 

Strang reports that AHAI, Smith and Adrahtas have declined to comment on the investigation.

“The U.S. Center for SafeSport has advised us they have taken jurisdiction and are investigating allegations that people within AHAI, including Jim Smith, were aware of sexual misconduct by Thomas Adrahtas and did not take action,” USA Hockey executive director Pat Kelleher said via a spokesperson.

Suffice it to say, there's still a lot more to come concerning this investigation and the fallout is sure to shake up the entire USA Hockey organization.

For the full story from Strang, click below: