Former Chicago NHL draft pick Kyle Beach steps forward as 1st accuser in sexual assault investigation
The Canadian Press | Posted: October 27, 2021 10:32 PM | Last Updated: October 28, 2021
Named as 'John Doe 1' in court documents relating to alleged 2010 assault
WARNING: This story contains distressing details
Kyle Beach has stepped forward as John Doe 1 in the Chicago NHL team's sexual assault investigation.
Beach appeared on TSN's SportsCentre on Wednesday night to identify himself as the first accuser of former Chicago video coach Brad Aldrich.
He had been named John Doe 1 in court documents related to the alleged sexual assault in 2010.
Beach's revelation comes a day after the NHL levied a $2 million US fine on the franchise and Chicago's general manager Stan Bowman resigned in the wake of a damning independent investigation, commissioned by the team in response to two lawsuits, into the team's handling of the allegations.
Beach told TSN seeing Aldrich around the team made him feel sick.
"I reported this and I was made aware that it made it all the way up the chain of command by [Jim Gary] and nothing happened," Beach said. "It was like his life was the same as the day before. Same every day.
"And then when they won, to see him paraded around lifting the Cup, at the parade, at the team pictures, at celebrations, it made me feel like nothing."
WATCH | Kyle Beach comes forward as 'John Doe 1' in Chicago scandal:
Beach published a statement Thursday on Twitter, sharing his gratitude with supporters and ensuring he will continue pursuing change.
"I have immense gratitude for the outpouring of endless love and support that has come through within the past 48 hours," Beach wrote. "Although the results of the private investigation have been released, and the [organization has] apologized, my battle is really just beginning as [Chicago continues] to attempt to destroy my case in court."
Beach, from North Vancouver, B.C., was selected 11th overall in the 2008 draft by Chicago.
He never played in the NHL but was a so-called Black Ace for Chicago in 2010, practising with the team on a regular basis in case the team needed a replacement player if another player was injured.
Florida coach Joel Quenneville is to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman on Thursday, and Winnipeg general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff also plans to talk to the commissioner. Both were with Chicago when the allegations were first reported to team leadership.
According to the report, the encounter between the 20-year-old Doe — now self-identified as Beach — and Aldrich, then 27, occurred on May 8 or 9 in 2010.
Beach told investigators that Aldrich threatened him with a souvenir baseball bat before forcibly performing oral sex on him and masturbating, allegations that Beach also detailed in his lawsuit.
Aldrich told investigators the encounter was consensual. Asked Wednesday about the law firm's report, Aldrich responded: "I have nothing to say."
Beach made his professional hockey debut with the American Hockey League's Rockford IceHogs, Chicago's minor-league affiliate, as an 18-year-old in 2008.
WATCH | Bowman resigns amid team's sexual assault allegations: