Blackhawks GM Bowman resigns after sexual assault probe

Stan Bowman, the Chicago Blackhawks’ general manager and president of hockey operations, resigned Tuesday after an investigation commissioned by the team found he was among a group of leaders who failed to respond promptly to allegations that an assistant coach sexually assaulted a player in 2010.

The Blackhawks hired Jenner & Block to conduct what they called an independent review in response to two lawsuits filed against the franchise: one alleging sexual assault by then assistant coach Brad Aldrich during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2010 and another filed by a former student whom Aldrich was convicted of assaulting in Michigan.

Team CEO Danny Wirtz called the report “both disturbing and difficult to read,” and the NHL fined the team $2 million for mishandling the accusations.

Bowman said he was stepping aside because he didn’t want to be a distraction for the team.

“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,” he said in a statement released by the team. “I promptly reported the matter to the then-President and CEO who committed to handling the matter.”

Former federal prosecutor Reid Schar, who ran the investigation, said Tuesday that Bowman, former team president John McDonough, hockey operations executive Al MacIsaac, former executive vice president Jay Blunk and then-assistant general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff met with thencoach Joel Quenneville and mental skills coach Jim Gary to discuss the allegations in May 2010.

Schar said accounts of the meeting “vary significantly.”

“What is clear is that after being informed of Aldrich’s alleged sexual harassment and misconduct with a player no action was taken for three weeks,” Schar said.