Red Wings coach Jeff Blashill sounds off on shocking sexual abuse coverup

The identity of the former Chicago Blackhawks player who brought to light explosive sexual assault allegations against the team has been revealed as Kyle Beach, a 2008 Draft selection who suffered abuse at the hands of then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs.

The full details of the report that was released yesterday afternoon have resulted in the resignations of general manager Stan Bowman and senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac. Additionally, the team was fined $2 million by the NHL. Meanwhile, Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville, the former head coach of the Blackhawks at the time of the assault, resigned his position yesterday evening. 

Needless to say, there's been plenty of reaction from player and coaches around the NHL, and the Detroit Red Wings are no different. Prior to today's game against the Panthers, who will be coached on an interim basis by former NHL forward Andrew Brunette, coach Jeff Blashill spoke about the support that his players have from the organization - especially after such disturbing allegations have come to light from another team. 

“There’s a number of things our players go through. We want to make sure there’s support for them here and we certainly have discussed that and will continue to discuss that,” Blashill said.

“The first part and the most important part is doing everything possible to not be in situations where people are exposed to predators. But that’s sometimes impossible to understand and know. When that type of action happens, no matter what happens after it, it doesn’t take away from the fact that action happened. It’s something that none of us would ever want to subject anybody to."

“From our perspective we have to make sure our players understand there’s support here for them in a lot of different areas. We have to make sure we’re making the best decisions we can with our players and our staff and anybody around us. That we’re putting their personal lives first and foremost.”

The Red Wings will be taking on the Panthers tonight at Little Caesars Arena starting at 7:30 PM EST.