TAMPA (Fla.) -- NHL commissioner Gary Bettman stated that the league was made aware of the allegations against Brad Aldrich, former Chicago Blackhawks assistant coaches, "relatively recently." He said that while they found the allegations "concerning", it would wait for an independent review to determine if it will take any discipline.Bettman stated Monday at his annual pre-Stanley Cup Final news conference, "But my initial reaction is, ‘Tell me the facts.'" Once we have the facts, we can better assess what might or might not be necessary."A lawsuit was filed in May by an ex-Blackhawks player alleging that Aldrich, a former video coaching assistant, sexually assaulted him along with another player during the 2010 Stanley Cup playoff run. In the filing, the player is referred to by his nickname "John Doe". He seeks more than $150,000 in damages.Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz stated in an internal memo to staff Monday that the team had retained Reid Schar, a former federal prosecutor from Jenner & Block LLP, to conduct an "independent investigation" into the events."We want you to know that we take these allegations very seriously. They do not reflect the culture or values of this organization," Wirtz stated in the memo. He also said that investigators were directed to "follow the facts wherever they lead."Bettman stated that the NHL believes an independent investigation to be "appropriate."Bill Daly, deputy commissioner of the Blackhawks, stated that the Blackhawks' assistant counsel alerted the league office about the Aldrich allegations. Bettman and Daly did not specify the exact date, but Bettman said it was "relatively recent considering the allegations...from at least what is publicly known, are 10 year old."Bettman stated that "all options" are possible when disciplining members or clubs.Bettman stated, "Let's see what the investigation uncovers, then we can figure what comes next." "I believe everyone is going too fast, and too far. This will be dealt with professionally and appropriately, and done right.TSN reported last Wednesday that players had reported the incident to Paul Vincent, then-Blackhawks' skills coach, before the Western Conference finals in 2010. Vincent called a meeting at the San Jose team hotel the next day and shared his information with John McDonough (then-team president), Stan Bowman (general manager), senior vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac, and James Gary, mental skills coach and senior vice president for hockey operations. Vincent claimed that he instructed the executives to report the incident the Chicago police. However, this never happened.Bettman claimed he doesn't know anything more than what has been reported by other media outlets. WBEZ, a Chicago radio station, was the first to report on the lawsuit.Bettman stated that "What we know is based on what's publicly available." "And that's the reason we're going be interested in seeing what the investigation uncovers and not."ESPN spoke to a member of the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup-winning 2010 team over the weekend, saying that he felt that the NHL was trying to "discredit the situation." ESPN was told by that Aldrich appeared for team photos prior to the Cup parade, but was never seen again.ESPN reported that Aldrich had rumored to be trying to make deals with players.Aldrich's departure was not announced by the Blackhawks to their players.ESPN's 2010 player said that it was scary to think that people could allow this to happen. He also noted that he was disturbed by reports from the Blackhawks that Aldrich received a recommendation letter for his next job. Aldrich was a player in high school before he became director of hockey operations at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio. This investigation has also been opened.Aldrich, who had left the Blackhawks in 2012, was convicted of fourth-degree criminal sex conduct in a high school student's case in Michigan. Aldrich was sentenced to nine months imprisonment and five years probation in 2014. He will be released in 2019. He is currently on the Michigan sex offenders registry.
