April 26, 2024
Chicago Blackhawks

Bowman, MacIsaac step down from Chicago Blackhawks

By John Dietz - Daily Herald Media Group

In this July 26, 2019, file photo, Chicago Blackhawks senior vice president and general manager Stan Bowman speaks to the media during the team's convention in Chicago. Bowman resigned Tuesday, Oct. 26, 2021, following an investigation into allegations that an assistant coach sexually assaulted a player in 2010. (AP Photo/Amr Alfiky, File/AP)

Blackhawks general manager and president of hockey operations Stan Bowman and senior vice president of hockey operations Al MacIsaac were relieved of their duties Tuesday after an independent investigation involving former video coach Bradley Aldrich.

Hawks owner and chairman Rocky Wirtz and CEO Danny Wirtz held a virtual press briefing to announce the findings, which were compiled by Jenner & Block LLP. The investigation came about after a former member of the 2010 championship team for ignoring claims that he and another player were sexually assaulted by Aldrich.

“The report is both disturbing and difficult to read,” Danny Wirtz said. “It speaks for itself. Rocky and our leadership team reviewed the report and we have had important and difficult conversations about how our organization will move forward.”

Bowman was named GM in July 2009 and promoted to president of hockey operations in December 2020. MacIsaac was in his 21st year with the Hawks and sixth in his current role.

Danny Wirtz said that Kyle Davidson, the current vice president of hockey strategy and analytics, will take over as interim general manager as the team looks for a permanent replacement to Bowman.

Danny said he appreciates Bowman’s dedication to the team and is confident that if this matter happened today that Bowman would have a much different reaction.

“Stan exhibited extreme professionalism and integrity in cooperating in the investigation, more so than his peers and we cannot overstate the important role Stan played in revisiting that meeting in the report,” Danny said. “I believe that if this had happened in 2021, with Stan at the helm, the Stan that I know and we know would have acted differently and would have been a louder voice in that room.”

Bowman released a statement saying he was made aware of the allegations and “promptly reported the matter” to then-CEO John McDonough “who committed to handling the matter.”

“I learned this year that the inappropriate behavior involved a serious allegation of sexual assault,” Bowman said. “I relied on the direction of my superior that he would take appropriate action. Looking back, now knowing he did not handle the matter promptly, I regret assuming he would do so.

“I am confident that this organization and the Wirtz family will continue to do what it takes to win championships, with integrity and with the goal of doing what is right.”

Reid Schar, Partner at Jenner & Block LLP who was hired in late June to independently investigate the allegations, spoke about the findings for approximately 15 minutes.

“Our investigation was independent and it was thorough,” Schar said. “The Blackhawks directed us to follow the facts wherever they led and that is exactly what we did. ... We, and we alone, designed and executed the investigation with no limits from the Blackhawks.”