A day after being implicated in the findings of an investigation into the sexual assault of his former Black Hawks, Florida Panthers coach Joel Quinville was off the bench – but was nowhere to be found after the game.
Quenneville – who was made aware of the assault allegations against former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich when he was head coach, according to results released Tuesday – gave up on the media after the game. Instead, General Manager Bill Zito addressed reporters.
“In light of the news this afternoon, we felt it appropriate to address all of you,” Zito said. Joel will meet with Commissioner Gary Bateman tomorrow. He has no comments prior to that meeting.”
Earlier in the night, Kyle Beach came forward as the unidentified ex-Blackhawk who accused Aldrich of sexually assaulting him in 2010, during the team’s Stanley Cup tournament. According to an investigation by law firm Block & Jenner, Quenneville was aware of the allegations, but the team did not act until weeks later, quietly asking Aldrich to resign or face an investigation. Aldrich also celebrated with the team when they won the cup.
Speaking on TSN Wednesday, Beach doubled down that Quinville was aware of the allegations.
“I watched the meetings, right after I reported them [then-Blackhawks coach] James Garry, who is being held in Joel Quinville’s office. “There is absolutely no way to deny his knowledge,” Beach said.
Quinville will likely learn of his fate after meeting Bateman on Thursday. The Panthers has a 7-0-0 season.
General Motors Blackhawk Stan Bowman resigned Tuesday after the results were published.
.
