Hockey fans rallied around Kyle Beach after he came forward as ‘John Doe’ in Blackhawks sexual assault case

Editor’s note: This story contains mentions of sexual assault. Please proceed with caution.

Kyle Beach, the No. 11 overall pick in the 2008 NHL Entry Draft, has come forward as John Doe 1 in the Chicago Blackhawks sexual assault case.

In a harrowing interview with Rick Westhead of TSN on Wednesday, Beach officially stepped forward as the first survivor of Brad Aldrich, former video coach of the Blackhawks during the team’s 2010 Stanley Cup run. Beach said Aldrich sexually assaulted him in May 2010 and then was threatened into keeping quiet about it for fear of retribution.

On Tuesday, law firm Jenner & Block released a 107-page report after completing an independent investigation into the two lawsuits lobbied at Chicago earlier this spring. After the findings were made public, general manager Stan Bowman — who was the team’s GM in 2010 — stepped away from the organization.

You can watch Beach’s 25-minute interview with Westhead below. Trigger warnings on the video for discussions of sexual assault.

Kyle Beach, John Doe in the Blackhawks investigation, talks to @rwesthead about how his NHL experience 'changed forever,’ his reaction to the findings, and support for other victims of sexual assault.

VIDEO: https://t.co/hVG7ZYiY1d pic.twitter.com/vcQYxINOX8

— TSN (@TSN_Sports) October 27, 2021

There is still likely fallout to come from the investigation’s findings, with Winnipeg Jets general manager Kevin Cheveldayoff and Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville both set to meet with commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss their roles on the 2010 Blackhawks team.

On Wednesday, shortly after Beach’s interview went public, the Blackhawks released a statement of their own.

A statement from the Chicago Blackhawks pic.twitter.com/x1XbMXDiyA

— Chicago Blackhawks (@NHLBlackhawks) October 27, 2021

There has been no word, however, on what the “changes and improvements” are within the Chicago organization.

After Beach came forward on TSN with an incredibly brave interview, the hockey world rallied around the player for his courage and conviction in speaking his truth publicly.

Blackhawks sexual assault scandal yet another grim reminder of hockey’s culture problem