Aldrich used NHL names, memorabilia to build trust, alleged victim says

TSN Senior Correspondent

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Content Warning: The following article contains references to sexual assault

A former Miami (of Ohio) University student who alleges he was raped by Brad Aldrich says the one-time Chicago Blackhawks video coach groomed him using his Stanley Cup ring, Olympic silver medal, and other hockey memorabilia.

During a Zoom video interview with TSN last week, the former student said he met Aldrich in the fall of 2011 when both worked for the NCAA school’s men’s hockey team.

The former student, who is now in his 30s and working in the hockey industry, has asked for anonymity. TSN has a policy to not name sexual assault survivors without their permission and will refer to him in reporting as John Doe 3.

John Doe 3 is among three potential plaintiffs who are weighing lawsuits against the Blackhawks. All three are represented by Christopher Cortese, a lawyer with the Chicago law firm Hurley, McKenna & Mertz.

Cortese said he contacted the Blackhawks in December of 2021 to detail the allegations of the potential plaintiffs against the NHL team, two months after Kyle Beach and a former high school hockey player who was sexually assaulted by Aldrich settled their lawsuits against the Blackhawks.

Cortese told TSN in an interview that his firm is preparing to file litigation against the team. The allegations leveled by the plaintiffs have not been proven in court. A Blackhawks spokesman did not respond to a request for comment.

John Doe 3 said Aldrich confided in him that he was gay and told him the Blackhawks had helped Aldrich secure a job at the Ohio school after he left the NHL team.

“Brad told me that he was tired of the travel of the NHL and that after winning the Stanley Cup, he had