Joel Quenneville has just stepped down as head coach for the Florida Panthers days after an investigation was published accusing him of ignoring sexual assault allegations made by former Chicago Blackhawks star Kyle Beach against the team’s then video coordinator, Brad Aldrich
Quenneville was serving as head coach for the Blackhawks in 2010, when Beach, now 31, claims he was sexually assaulted by Aldrich. According to the investigation, which was commissioned by the team and made public this week, Beach told higher-ups about the assault, but he was ignored until after the team won the Stanley Cup later that season.
The investigation states that the case was ignored to avoid bad publicity amid the ongoing playoffs, but that after the playoffs, HR told Aldrich he could either resign or undergo an investigation. He chose to resign, but not before negotiating a handsome severance package that included a playoff bonus and several months’ salary.
Three years later, Aldrich was arrested and pled guilty to fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct involving a minor in a separate incident.
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In his resignation statement, Quenneville said, “With deep regret and contrition, I announce my resignation as head coach of the Florida Panthers. I want to express my sorrow for the pain this young man, Kyle Beach, has suffered. My former team the Blackhawks failed Kyle and I own my share of that.”
He added, “I want to reflect on how all of this happened and take the time to educate myself on ensuring hockey spaces are safe for everyone.”
Speaking to TSN’s Rick Westhead this week, Beach called for systemic change within the NHL.
“I’ve been a survivor, I am a survivor,” he said. “And I know I’m not alone. I know I’m not the only one, male or female. And I buried this for 10 years, 11 years. And it’s destroyed me from the inside out.”
He added that, for years, he felt isolated and invisible by the lack of attention he received from Blackhawks’ chain of command.
“I was scared, mostly. I was fearful. I had my career threatened. I felt alone and dark,” he said. “Sorry, it’s tough to recall these moments. I felt like I was alone and there was nothing I could do and nobody I could turn to for help.”
After finding the strength to come forward with his story, he’s now encouraging other athletes to speak out if they experience similar abuse.
“I want everybody to know in the sports world and in the world that you’re not alone. That if these things happen to you, you need to speak up. Because there are support systems.”
Beach followed that up with a statement to his Instagram page yesterday. Read it below.
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Thad
I’m a hockey fan. I was thrilled when the BlackHawks won the Stanley Cup in 2010. This abuse was kept so quiet. Fans had no idea. Well, it’s open now. And unlike the Catholic Church, this wasn’t swept under the rug. I’m glad some justice is being done; people who knew about this and did nothing are losing their jobs. Officially, the NHL is LGBT-friendly. “You Can Play” is better than any other sports initiative to include gay players, officials, and fans (even if no openly gay players are currently playing in the NHL), Although so long-delayed, there’s no place for abuse in hockey. And props to Kyle Beach for coming forward.
charette8596
It was swept under the rug. That’s why it took 11 years to come out. And in the meantime more young men were sexually abused by the predator Brad Aldrich.
Jim
Kudos to this brave man.
Now lets talk about team mates who know this is going on and say nothing!
charette8596
Yep, they all knew and said nothing as well. But they’re all so sorry now. Isn’t that nice of them.
bsg1967
Respect for the victim, brave and wish him peace