I know some of you have read the report. Cudos (seriously) you have much more patience than I.

Did McDonough give a deposition in the report? If so, is there anything specific that he recalls about what happened?

You all have to know this was Kyle Beach and he was a poopty player. The hawks wasted a top pick on that kid and he waits 11 years later in deciding to do something about this because his career never panned out. I understand the hawks handled it poorly and this kid was taken advantage of but the kid is looking for a payday because his career never took off. He was a headcase when the hawks drafted him and they were hoping that he would adjust and not be a poop disturber and be in the penalty box game after game because of a poor attitude but he never developed. I can’t imagine this case caused anymore irreputable harm to him than he was already dealing with when the hawks gambled and drafted him. If you go back and read scouting reports on him he was a disaster from the start, the hawks were hoping they could fix him but he just never panned out and he’s a 31 year old washed up kid playing overseas because he couldn’t hack it in the NHL. I recognize that dealing with something like this for a young kid is probably not easy but I feel the kid is blaming his failing career on this situation when he really wasn't very good and blaming this situation on how it ruined his life and things just doesn't make sense when the kid was a headcase when the hawks even drafted him. They gambled on hoping they could fix his poor attitude and other issues but he never turned it around. Seems to me he wants a payday for the fact that he didn't turn out the way he wanted to. I mean when does someone take responsibility and say I screwed up my own career instead he's blaming this on his marriage and everything else failing in his life.
- Hawk4life

I don’t know what’s worse, you outting the guy despite all of us having agreed to not name him… or you taking this opportunity to slam him during one of the most difficult periods in his life. Take a lap and think about the kind of person you want to be, because to most of us you come off as a pure a****le.

I know some of you have read the report. Cudos (seriously) you have much more patience than I.

Did McDonough give a deposition in the report? If so, is there anything specific that he recalls about what happened?
- Rota's Rooter

yes, he did

Here's the summary of his deposition (there is a LOT of other information about him in there, from other sources, or in summary)

McDonough recalled that Jim Gary told the group that he was “aware of an
incident” and John Doe “was embarrassed about the incident.”423 McDonough
also stated during his interview that he believed Gary explained during the
May 23 meeting what occurred, but he could only recall that Gary mentioned
Aldrich’s name and how the situation was embarrassing for John Doe.424
In his initial interview, McDonough denied that there was a discussion during
the meeting about who was going to address the issue or about tabling the
issue until after the playoffs.425 McDonough recalled that Quenneville
appeared to be agitated.426 McDonough otherwise had virtually no
49
recollection of the discussion after the issue had been raised.427 During a
second interview, McDonough stated that Gary told the assembled group that
Gary was going to address the issue with John Doe again following the
meeting.428 The next event McDonough recalled was that the meeting ended
and everyone dispersed.429 McDonough stated that this was the first and last
time he recalled discussing this issue.430
i. McDonough’s Description of the May 23
Meeting to the Director of Human Resources
on June 14, 2010
According to the then-Director of Human Resources, three weeks later, on June
14, McDonough called the Director into his office and told her that he learned
of an incident a few weeks earlier involving Aldrich.431 The Director of Human
Resources recalled that McDonough told her that the incident involved
drinking and Aldrich “hitting on” or making a sexual advance on John Doe at
an off-site apartment.432 The Director of Human Resources also recalled
McDonough describing the meeting in his office on May 23 after Game 4 ended
with MacIsaac, Bowman, Gary, and Quenneville.433 The Director of Human
Resources recalled that McDonough told her that, during the meeting, the
group decided not to alert Human Resources or outside legal counsel and to
not do anything about the incident during the playoffs so as not to “disturb
team chemistry.”434 The Director of Human Resources further recalled
McDonough saying that the group decided to keep the alleged incident among
themselves for the duration of the playoffs and that they would address the
issue as soon as possible after the season.435
The Director of Human Resources also recalled McDonough referencing the
fact that John Doe was physically larger than Aldrich.436 When interviewed,
McDonough made the same comment, adding that it was hard for him to
imagine that a non-consensual sexual encounter occurred between John Doe,
who McDonough believed to be 6’3” and 230 lb. in 2010, and Aldrich, who
McDonough believed to be 5’6” and 130 lb. in 2010.437
When interviewed, McDonough stated that he did not recall speaking with the
Director of Human Resources about Aldrich on June 14 or at any time.438

Will soon come out. Reading Q came late to the meeting or some poop, so not sure what he "really" knew. But multiple people report he did know and alluded to the issue as something that could hurt team chemistry. If this is true, Q needs to be peddling a shopping cart somewhere instead of leading men. Dude was a proven champion coach, but what a loser for not reporting this.

The team could have EASILY dealt with it and still won the Cup. Just meet with the players and say, "whatever is up, cut this poop out...we're calling the cops on Aldrich, he's trash. Now suit up and hit the ice, we got a Cup to win"
- kwolf68

Here is my take on Q. Even if Q sat through the whole meeting I think he and Chevy were on the bottom of the power structure and therefore would risk there job if they would have reminded McD or Stan that this predator needs to be reported to the police. Just like in the real Corporate World, low level managers do not make waves during major corporate meetings because they will suffer the consequences.

Long, but worth reading - Duncan Keith spoke on the matter today

@DNBsports
Duncan Keith spoke this morning about the Chicago sexual assault scandal ... (Long thread)

On initial thoughts:
"First of all, your thoughts go to the person who was affected by this. It took a lot for him to speak out and bring this forward. That took a lot of courage. (1/3)

"My thoughts immediately go to him, and what he had to endure at such a young age. I feel terrible about that. It’s still not easy to see what’s happened yesterday regardless of everything. (2/3)

"My memories of being in Chicago, especially at that time… The players in that room, it was a special group. A championship team. In that’s sense, it’s too bad.

"But the bigger, more important issue is the person who was affected by that." (3/3)

On who knew what, when: "I know there was talk that players knew, and maybe some guys did know. But not everybody knew. Maybe that’s hard for people to understand, but that’s the truth ... I didn’t know that that was happening, and that those things happened to that person."

On if he was aware of homophobic slurs and taunts John Doe faced: “No. Not at all. Never heard one guy say that. Never in practice. Nothing ... I never heard that for the rest of that season, or for years after that."

On Sopel and Boynton saying everybody knew:
"After the season, the next year, I questioned why he wasn't around anymore — why Brad Aldrich wasn’t there any more. I was told it was because the NHL schedule was too much, so he went to college. (1/2)
"I found it odd that he was (leaving) a championship team. But it is a tough schedule, with lots of travel, and tiring, So, I thought, 'Each to their own.'" (2/2)

On interactions with Aldrich:
"He seemed like he was a nice guy. Those were my interactions. He was the video coach. I didn’t really have much interaction with him in the first place."

Has Keith reached out to John Doe?
"I honestly don’t even know who it is."

When did Keith find out?
"Basically, when the guy was suing. Then I started hearing things and finding out more information. You hear rumours and stuff, but it wasn’t until it was made public."

Should what happened taint or change how people view that 2010 championship?
"That’s a tough question. It’s obviously serious allegations and it’s serious what happened. (1/3)

"But at the same time, it was a special group of players in that room that battled and competed and deserved that championship. In that sense, for me, it’s tough to see that. I guess people have to form their own thoughts and opinions on it. (2/3)

"To me, it’s a championship team and it’s a special group of players to be a part of." (3/3)

Would Keith have handled anything differently?
"I wouldn’t have handled anything differently. There was nothing to handle that I knew about, especially going through the playoffs when that happened. I didn’t know what was going on. (1/2)

"If it happened now and it was something that I was made aware of, for sure; you’d have to say something. There has to be something done. It’s obviously unacceptable. It’s brutal what that guy had to endure and deal with – and probably still deals with today." (2/2)

On being shielded during the playoffs: "Certainly, if I was aware of that and multiple players were aware of what was going on, that might be a different story. It would be a different story. (1/3)

"I still think if something like that happens, you’d be able to talk to somebody and bring that up and make it known that something needs to happen here. (2/3)

"Even if you’re in the conference finals or the finals you can still play your game and get that out in the open and make sure it’s taken care of." (3/3)

Does Keith have any resentment for the way management handled it?
"I’m not going to sit here and say there’s resentment because of the way they handled it. I don’t know why it was handled that way. I can’t speak for them. But obviously, it should have been handled differently.”

On if Cheveldayoff and Quenneville should be punished: "I don’t really know. I didn’t read through the whole report. At the end of the day, it sounds like they’re going to do their due diligence and see what comes out of that."

Keith said he wasn't interviewed as part of the investigation.

I don’t know what’s worse, you outting the guy despite all of us having agreed to not name him… or you taking this opportunity to slam him during one of the most difficult periods in his life. Take a lap and think about the kind of person you want to be, because to most of us you come off as a pure a****le.
- ObeseOprah

One of his most difficult periods of his life? Are you smoking crack? The guy was a headcase from his initial draft, and you're just trying to feel sorry for him. I realize violating people sexually is not normal or a good thing, but at the end of the day, the dude is looking for a payday because his career didn't turn out the way he wanted it to. I recognize that he has feelings and emotions and is maybe going through something, but I have to believe that he was already a headcase before this suit even came up. If you read all the scouting reports on the guy when the hawks drafted him, they stated he was a headcase. So to blame this on his marriage and everything else just seems like someone who doesn't take responsibility for their own problems. Where do we draw the line and say, hey, maybe he is milking this, or maybe he was already this way before any of this.

I'm not here to knock the dude, but if you research the scouting reports you'd see that most of the issues he had were already there before this happened, so to feel sorry for him because of a failed marriage and things just seems ridiculous. That's like me blaming you for my anxiety issues you are causing thus point forward because you called me an a hole. I recognize no one should ever deal with this sort of thing and that the blackhawks were poor in handling the situation and could have done better to address and handle it, I also feel like the dude is also making up some fabrications to his story through his attorney to get paid for his career never taking off, but again, the dude had already had the odds stacked against him when he was drafted as the hawks gambled on him and he was considered a bust when we drafted him. I just find it aggravating that the dude is blaming everything in his life on this situation when he was already a headcase from the moment he was drafted. So, yes, I feel sorry for him, but I also believe that he deserves compensation but I don't necessarily agree that this situation led to all these things his lawyer is stating especially when the guy is still playing hockey. He just never made it to the NHL, and to me, that is his own fault, not because of this situation I think.

It's Pittsburgh this time

https://www.tsn.ca/u-s-ce...rin-source-says-1.1710143
- LAHawk

That came out a week or so ago, but yeah, now that awareness is up you are gonna see all kinds of cases pop up.

One of his most difficult periods of his life? Are you smoking crack? The guy was a headcase from his initial draft, and you're just trying to feel sorry for him. I realize violating people sexually is not normal or a good thing, but at the end of the day, the dude is looking for a payday because his career didn't turn out the way he wanted it to. I recognize that he has feelings and emotions and is maybe going through something, but I have to believe that he was already a headcase before this suit even came up. If you read all the scouting reports on the guy when the hawks drafted him, they stated he was a headcase. So to blame this on his marriage and everything else just seems like someone who doesn't take responsibility for their own problems. Where do we draw the line and say, hey, maybe he is milking this, or maybe he was already this way before any of this.

I'm not here to knock the dude, but if you research the scouting reports you'd see that most of the issues he had were already there before this happened, so to feel sorry for him because of a failed marriage and things just seems ridiculous. That's like me blaming you for my anxiety issues you are causing thus point forward because you called me an a hole. I recognize no one should ever deal with this sort of thing and that the blackhawks were poor in handling the situation and could have done better to address and handle it, I also feel like the dude is also making up some fabrications to his story through his attorney to get paid for his career never taking off, but again, the dude had already had the odds stacked against him when he was drafted as the hawks gambled on him and he was considered a bust when we drafted him. I just find it aggravating that the dude is blaming everything in his life on this situation when he was already a headcase from the moment he was drafted. So, yes, I feel sorry for him, but I also believe that he deserves compensation but I don't necessarily agree that this situation led to all these things his lawyer is stating especially when the guy is still playing hockey. He just never made it to the NHL, and to me, that is his own fault, not because of this situation I think.
- Hawk4life

I agree, you posting his name wasn’t cool.

So he’s a headcase? Did it not occur to you that may have been the very reason he was targeted?

One of his most difficult periods of his life? Are you smoking crack? The guy was a headcase from his initial draft, and you're just trying to feel sorry for him. I realize violating people sexually is not normal or a good thing, but at the end of the day, the dude is looking for a payday because his career didn't turn out the way he wanted it to. I recognize that he has feelings and emotions and is maybe going through something, but I have to believe that he was already a headcase before this suit even came up. If you read all the scouting reports on the guy when the hawks drafted him, they stated he was a headcase. So to blame this on his marriage and everything else just seems like someone who doesn't take responsibility for their own problems. Where do we draw the line and say, hey, maybe he is milking this, or maybe he was already this way before any of this.

I'm not here to knock the dude, but if you research the scouting reports you'd see that most of the issues he had were already there before this happened, so to feel sorry for him because of a failed marriage and things just seems ridiculous. That's like me blaming you for my anxiety issues you are causing thus point forward because you called me an a hole. I recognize no one should ever deal with this sort of thing and that the blackhawks were poor in handling the situation and could have done better to address and handle it, I also feel like the dude is also making up some fabrications to his story through his attorney to get paid for his career never taking off, but again, the dude had already had the odds stacked against him when he was drafted as the hawks gambled on him and he was considered a bust when we drafted him. I just find it aggravating that the dude is blaming everything in his life on this situation when he was already a headcase from the moment he was drafted. So, yes, I feel sorry for him, but I also believe that he deserves compensation but I don't necessarily agree that this situation led to all these things his lawyer is stating especially when the guy is still playing hockey. He just never made it to the NHL, and to me, that is his own fault, not because of this situation I think.
- Hawk4life

what exactly is accomplished by outing him? a lot of people could figure out on their own based on the details from the report, so why do you need to be the big bada$z detective to post his name? what does that change whether he disappointed as a prospect or not, what happened to him was wrong and illegal on nearly every level

I don’t know what’s worse, you outting the guy despite all of us having agreed to not name him… or you taking this opportunity to slam him during one of the most difficult periods in his life. Take a lap and think about the kind of person you want to be, because to most of us you come off as a pure a****le.
- ObeseOprah

Yeah, I wouldn't have chosen to be the first to say the name.

Doxing, though, is an accepted tactic these days. All the Kool Kids are doing it.

One of his most difficult periods of his life? Are you smoking crack? The guy was a headcase from his initial draft, and you're just trying to feel sorry for him. I realize violating people sexually is not normal or a good thing, but at the end of the day, the dude is looking for a payday because his career didn't turn out the way he wanted it to. I recognize that he has feelings and emotions and is maybe going through something, but I have to believe that he was already a headcase before this suit even came up. If you read all the scouting reports on the guy when the hawks drafted him, they stated he was a headcase. So to blame this on his marriage and everything else just seems like someone who doesn't take responsibility for their own problems. Where do we draw the line and say, hey, maybe he is milking this, or maybe he was already this way before any of this.

I'm not here to knock the dude, but if you research the scouting reports you'd see that most of the issues he had were already there before this happened, so to feel sorry for him because of a failed marriage and things just seems ridiculous. That's like me blaming you for my anxiety issues you are causing thus point forward because you called me an a hole. I recognize no one should ever deal with this sort of thing and that the blackhawks were poor in handling the situation and could have done better to address and handle it, I also feel like the dude is also making up some fabrications to his story through his attorney to get paid for his career never taking off, but again, the dude had already had the odds stacked against him when he was drafted as the hawks gambled on him and he was considered a bust when we drafted him. I just find it aggravating that the dude is blaming everything in his life on this situation when he was already a headcase from the moment he was drafted. So, yes, I feel sorry for him, but I also believe that he deserves compensation but I don't necessarily agree that this situation led to all these things his lawyer is stating especially when the guy is still playing hockey. He just never made it to the NHL, and to me, that is his own fault, not because of this situation I think.
- Hawk4life

Did you read the report? I’m only halfway through and I want to throw up. This guy basically said ‘I’ll make sure you’re never in the NHL unless you let me do this’ and proceeded to do some pretty horrifying things to him.

I don’t care what scouts from 2008 say. Why are you looking for dirt on a guy who got raped? I don’t care if this guy was the biggest jerk on earth, what happened to him was horrible and for people to somehow find him at fault for all this is disgusting. You’re like the guy who hears about a woman being raped and says ‘yeah well what was she wearing?’ It’s this meathead mentality of victim shaming that lets freaks like Brad Aldrich get away this garbage. Take a lap.

One of his most difficult periods of his life? Are you smoking crack? The guy was a headcase from his initial draft, and you're just trying to feel sorry for him. I realize violating people sexually is not normal or a good thing, but at the end of the day, the dude is looking for a payday because his career didn't turn out the way he wanted it to. I recognize that he has feelings and emotions and is maybe going through something, but I have to believe that he was already a headcase before this suit even came up. If you read all the scouting reports on the guy when the hawks drafted him, they stated he was a headcase. So to blame this on his marriage and everything else just seems like someone who doesn't take responsibility for their own problems. Where do we draw the line and say, hey, maybe he is milking this, or maybe he was already this way before any of this.

I'm not here to knock the dude, but if you research the scouting reports you'd see that most of the issues he had were already there before this happened, so to feel sorry for him because of a failed marriage and things just seems ridiculous. That's like me blaming you for my anxiety issues you are causing thus point forward because you called me an a hole. I recognize no one should ever deal with this sort of thing and that the blackhawks were poor in handling the situation and could have done better to address and handle it, I also feel like the dude is also making up some fabrications to his story through his attorney to get paid for his career never taking off, but again, the dude had already had the odds stacked against him when he was drafted as the hawks gambled on him and he was considered a bust when we drafted him. I just find it aggravating that the dude is blaming everything in his life on this situation when he was already a headcase from the moment he was drafted. So, yes, I feel sorry for him, but I also believe that he deserves compensation but I don't necessarily agree that this situation led to all these things his lawyer is stating especially when the guy is still playing hockey. He just never made it to the NHL, and to me, that is his own fault, not because of this situation I think.
- Hawk4life

Um, really?

May I respectfully request that we not discuss the identity or perceived issues or failings or whatever of the victim here and keep the focus on the people who did not respond to the matter as we believe they should have?

Unless and until you have been the victim of a sexual assault and suffered bullying thereafter as a result of that assault, please do not presume to know how it can impact you or affect the remainder of your life.

And, for awareness, predators like Aldrich seek out victims that appear vulnerable for whatever reason, be it perceived psychological weaknesses, ambition that can be exploited, etc.

yes, he did

Here's the summary of his deposition (there is a LOT of other information about him in there, from other sources, or in summary)

McDonough recalled ...
...When interviewed, McDonough stated that he did not recall speaking with the
Director of Human Resources about Aldrich on June 14 or at any time.438
- pdx2ord

Interesting. Either McD is playing CYA or that is a unique bit of selective memory.

One of his most difficult periods of his life? Are you smoking crack? The guy was a headcase from his initial draft, and you're just trying to feel sorry for him. I realize violating people sexually is not normal or a good thing, but at the end of the day, the dude is looking for a payday because his career didn't turn out the way he wanted it to. I recognize that he has feelings and emotions and is maybe going through something, but I have to believe that he was already a headcase before this suit even came up. If you read all the scouting reports on the guy when the hawks drafted him, they stated he was a headcase. So to blame this on his marriage and everything else just seems like someone who doesn't take responsibility for their own problems. Where do we draw the line and say, hey, maybe he is milking this, or maybe he was already this way before any of this.

I'm not here to knock the dude, but if you research the scouting reports you'd see that most of the issues he had were already there before this happened, so to feel sorry for him because of a failed marriage and things just seems ridiculous. That's like me blaming you for my anxiety issues you are causing thus point forward because you called me an a hole. I recognize no one should ever deal with this sort of thing and that the blackhawks were poor in handling the situation and could have done better to address and handle it, I also feel like the dude is also making up some fabrications to his story through his attorney to get paid for his career never taking off, but again, the dude had already had the odds stacked against him when he was drafted as the hawks gambled on him and he was considered a bust when we drafted him. I just find it aggravating that the dude is blaming everything in his life on this situation when he was already a headcase from the moment he was drafted. So, yes, I feel sorry for him, but I also believe that he deserves compensation but I don't necessarily agree that this situation led to all these things his lawyer is stating especially when the guy is still playing hockey. He just never made it to the NHL, and to me, that is his own fault, not because of this situation I think.
- Hawk4life

Do you know who Sheldon Kennedy is, and his story? If not, you should. He released his autobiography, Why I Didn't Say Anything - The Sheldon Kennedy Story. In the book he revealed that nightmares of Graham James his coach that still continue to plague him.

what exactly is accomplished by outing him? a lot of people could figure out on their own based on the details from the report, so why do you need to be the big bada$z detective to post his name? what does that change whether he disappointed as a prospect or not, what happened to him was wrong and illegal on nearly every level
- FourFeathers773

I agree, but this just feels like something you'd handle right then and there to me. And if it didnt get taken care of I would have handled it through a lawyer. Why does it take 11 years later for the dude to hire an attorney to go after this now? Again, that's like me saying because I was abused by a bully 10 years ago I should now sue him. Why did it take the dude 10 years to decide to take this to court? We are in a more confronting culture now days where things like this don't get pushed to the side and people aren't picked on because of coming forward. My thoughts are why did he wait 10 years?

Some people wonder why a tough hockey player didn't just smoke Aldrich. It's because the quickest way to get buried is to make waves. The kid was afraid for his job.

And then you have this meeting with all these guys who are big shots in one way or another being told about this situation by a retired cop. And the CEO says ok, you can go and I'll handle it. And when he didn't why did nobody else who was in that room go over his head? They were afraid for their jobs. Why? McD had the hammer. They watched McD blow out a hall of fame legend in Chicago who was coaching at the time. So yup, they were afraid to go over McD's head. And anyone who believes that Scotty training camp story as the reason for the timing of the firing I have a bridge to sell you.

Interesting. Either McD is playing CYA or that is a unique bit of selective memory.
- Rota's Rooter

To clarify on that point, I think it was MacIssac who eventually went to HR. So, maybe McD never did talk to them (breaking his own internal policy).

We aren't going to hash out the aspects of this situation here. Can we move on to talking about actual hockey?

Anyone have an idea of who is still out of the lineup tonight?

I agree, but this just feels like something you'd handle right then and there to me. And if it didnt get taken care of I would have handled it through a lawyer. Why does it take 11 years later for the dude to hire an attorney to go after this now? Again, that's like me saying because I was abused by a bully 10 years ago I should now sue him. Why did it take the dude 10 years to decide to take this to court? We are in a more confronting culture now days where things like this don't get pushed to the side and people aren't picked on because of coming forward. My thoughts are why did he wait 10 years?
- Hawk4life

IIRC it was the case of John Doe II (the HS student) being filed that prompted John Doe I to come forward in support and solidarity with his own.

Everyone is responsible for their (in)actions, sure. But those who are troubled, dealing with other issues, weak, hurt, somehow vulnerable, those are the ones being preyed upon the most. Those are the ones who need help the most, need somebody to step up on their behalf. This should not be a dog eat dog world. John Doe may not be a perfect human either, but he deserved better from people who were in position to do something and chose not to.

We aren't going to hash out the aspects of this situation here. Can we move on to talking about actual hockey?

Anyone have an idea of who is still out of the lineup tonight?
- breadbag

JC would not announce the roster - too many unknowns with the guys still out with COVID. Guess that means some are waiting for their test results from today?

What bothers me is today Soplel is claiming everyone knew yet at the time he did nothing. He can’t very well be critical now, can he?
- paulr

I am way late to this party, and I hardly ever post anymore (1, maybe 2 times since 2014-15 probably). But I read the whole report last night, and among many things that I thought about, what you point to was one of them. It's pretty rich of Boynton and Sopel to be criticizing (presumably) their teammates ("everybody knew") for doing nothing when they (Sopel and Boynton) did nothing themselves. I suspect that they're probably correct that a good number of the "everybody" did, in fact, know.

It's striking how surprised so many seem to be that this all got covered up and how easy some seem to think it would have been to "do the right thing." All of us certainly hope we would have acted properly were we in Q's shoes or Bowman's or the various players, to be sure.... But I'd be pretty careful before speaking so flippantly and self-confidently. There was a lot of money and the Cup at stake. Do you really think you would have been marching into McDonough's office and giving him what for? Or going to Wirtz? Or to Bettman?

I have lots of experience in organizations at the management level--in the military and at UPS, plus lots of years teaching in academia--and you know what, people are weak, fearful, and/or self-interested more often than not in these kinds of situations. And for everyone of these incidents that is now before the public, there are lots more that don't see the light of day.

I deeply wish they would have dealt with the creep Aldrich right away. But they didn't, and the fact that he wasn't dismissed immediately should not be terribly surprising. There was a Cup to win, and the player was a relative nobody--easy to understand why Q shrugged it off. But now the whole thing has been exposed....

I also have some experience--unfortunately--both with a family member and students under my direction having been groomed by predators like Aldrich. It is indeed a sad situation, but not because our favorite hockey team, players, and coach have been caught up in this. No, more so because it is one more piece of emblematic evidence that we live in a decadent society that seems to be getting worse in real time. We live in a hyper-sexualized culture, and we are surprised at what went on? We live in a society that seeks glory, fame, and fortune above all else it seems, and we are surprised at what happened?

Do you know who Sheldon Kennedy is, and his story? If not, you should. He released his autobiography, Why I Didn't Say Anything - The Sheldon Kennedy Story. In the book he revealed that nightmares of Graham James his coach that still continue to plague him.
- LAHawk

I was verbally and physically abused as a child and even in school as a child, and I don't go and sue them for this stuff because frankly I reached out and asked for help rather than complaining about it. I did something to help me get over all these years of abuse. I don't go and sue all my past employers for firing me so many times that it took a toll on my psyche because I used all that frustration and anger to build my own company. "It's not what happens to you," "its about how you handle what happens to you that matters." Blackhawks were terrible in addressing the situation and it is disgusting to have to deal with such a thing at an employer especially someone so raw and young, but why do something 10 years after the fact?

I agree, but this just feels like something you'd handle right then and there to me. And if it didnt get taken care of I would have handled it through a lawyer. Why does it take 11 years later for the dude to hire an attorney to go after this now? Again, that's like me saying because I was abused by a bully 10 years ago I should now sue him. Why did it take the dude 10 years to decide to take this to court? We are in a more confronting culture now days where things like this don't get pushed to the side and people aren't picked on because of coming forward. My thoughts are why did he wait 10 years?
- Hawk4life

Rape victims often never come forward. Some it takes decades. Cosby and Weinstein victims waited decades because they were afraid. They worry that people would question their memory, WHY THEY WAITED SO LONG, or if they’re just angling for a payday. If you haven’t had your head under a rock the last four years you’d see why so many don’t come forward, it’s because of people like you. Shame on you dude.

Some people wonder why a tough hockey player didn't just smoke Aldrich. It's because the quickest way to get buried is to make waves. The kid was afraid for his job.

And then you have this meeting with all these guys who are big shots in one way or another being told about this situation by a retired cop. And the CEO says ok, you can go and I'll handle it. And when he didn't why did nobody else who was in that room go over his head? They were afraid for their jobs. Why? McD had the hammer. They watched McD blow out a hall of fame legend in Chicago who was coaching at the time. So yup, they were afraid to go over McD's head. And anyone who believes that Scotty training camp story as the reason for the timing of the firing I have a bridge to sell you.
- 6628

It is interesting that the "afraid of losing my job" thing is seen as a valid reason for inaction on the part of the victim, but not for anyone reporting to McD.