CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- The former Chicago Blackhawks player alleging he was sexually assaulted by a Hawks video coach is speaking out about the effects the assault had on him. This is the first time he is speaking publicly about the incident.
Before now, the player alleged to have been sexually assaulted by Hawks video coach Brad Aldrich had been anonymous - John Doe. But on Wednesday, 31-year-old Kyle Beach let it be known publicly that he is the one who said Aldrich assaulted him in 2010.
Beach was 20 when he was brought up from the minors to be on the Chicago Blackhawks squad, just in case he was needed during the 2010 playoffs. He said in an interview with TSN Canada that hearing the results of the Blackhawks’ independent investigation into his allegations gave him a sense of vindication, and that now he can truly begin the healing process.
"The one thing that I want to make sure that comes from this is change. I want to make sure, in any way possible, that this does not happen to somebody else," Beach said fighting back tears.
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Beach was asked what it was like days immediately after the abuse.
"To be honest, I was scared mostly. I was fearful. I had my career threatened. I felt alone and dark...I felt like I was alone and there was nothing I could do and nobody I could turn to for help. And I didn’t know what to do as a 20-year old. I would never dream, or you could never imagine being put in this situation by somebody who’s supposed to be there to help you and to make you a better hockey player and a better person and continue to build your career. Just scared and alone with no idea what to do," Beach told TSN Canada.
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Beach went on to say it made him sick to his stomach to see his alleged sexual abuser, video coach Brad Aldrich, taking part in all the 2010 Stanley Cup championship celebrations.
"The only way I could describe it was that I felt sick, I felt sick to my stomach. I reported this and I was made aware that it made it all the way up the chain of command by ‘Doc’ (James) Gary and nothing happened...to see him paraded around lifting the Cup, at the parade, at the team pictures, at celebrations, it made me feel like nothing. It made me feel like I didn’t exist. It made me feel like, that I wasn’t important..."
The ramifications now stretch beyond Chicago. Former Hawks coach, current Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville is to meet Thursday with the NHL commissioner to discuss the matter. Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff also is planning to talk to the commissioner next week. Both were with the Blackhawks when the allegations were first reported to team leadership.
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