Stan Bowman blames someone else in official resignation statement

A lot took place in Chicago on Tuesday. The Blackhawks announced their general manager and president Stan Bowman had stepped down in the wake of an independent investigation into allegations that a then-assistant coach sexually assaulted two players in 2010.

The report, called “disturbing and difficult to read” by CEO Danny Wirtz, has been handed over to the NHL. The league has shortly after fined the Hawks $2-million for “inadequate procedures and mishandling” of 2010 sexual assault.

Bowman made a public statement on the situation, but managed to blame someone else. This is what he had to say about the Blackhawks’ disgraceful handling of the scandal and the players coming forward to expose Brad Aldrich.

“Eleven years ago, while serving in my first year as general manager, I was made aware of potential inappropriate behavior by a then-video coach involving a player,” Bowman said. “I promptly reported the matter to the then-President and CEO who committed to handling the matter. I learned this year that the inappropriate behavior involved a serious allegation of sexual assault. I relied on the direction of my superior that he would take appropriate action. Looking back, now knowing he did not handle the matter promptly, I regret assuming he would do so.”

Bowman had been with the club for 20 years and was promoted to GM back in 2009. The son of Hockey Hall of Famer Scotty Bowman, the younger Bowman helped lead the Blackhawks to three Stanley Cup championships from 2010 to 2015. He was promoted to president of hockey operations last December upon the firing of John McDonough, the president Bowman alluded to in his statement.

In his mind, McDonough made him believe it was alright…

The investigation into the allegations began this past August and was led by former federal prosecutor Reid Schar in conjunction with Jenner & Block LLP.

The allegations came to light this past offseason after a former player filed a lawsuit in Chicago against the franchise. That unnamed player alleges that he reported the abuse to the team and that he was essentially ignored. The player alleges that then team video coach Brad Aldrich had allegedly sexually assaulted him and then threatened him via text messages and other communications against making a complaint. A second former player alleges that he was also sexual assaulted by Aldrich and he also accuses the Blackhawks of covering up the abuse of two players and then granting Aldrich a letter of reference when he left the team quietly in the summer of 2010. That letter gave him the opportunity to go on and find other victims, the lawsuit alleges.

Aldrich would go on to be convicted of abusing a 17 year old hockey player in 2013 after resigning from his position as director of hockey operations at Miami University on Nov. 27, 2012, “under suspicion of unwanted touching of a male adult.”

It's about time the Hawks face the responsibilities of their terrible actions.