Kyle Beach, who came forward as the anonymous former Blackhawks player, said there is „absolutely no way that [Quenneville] can deny“ being aware of the allegations.<\/b>
\nAs the fallout continues from a sexual assault investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks organization \u2014 which resulted in the resignation of its general manager Tuesday \u2014 former Blackhawks coach and current Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville is scheduled to meet with the NHL’s commissioner Thursday as speculation mounts over his future in the league. „There’s absolutely no way that he can deny knowing it,“ Beach told TSN regarding Quenneville’s knowledge of the situation. Quenneville is reportedly expected to meet with Bettman at 2 p.m. Thursday at NHL headquarters in Manhattan. Chris Johnston, a reporter for TSN and The Toronto Star, tweeted Wednesday, „How Joel Quenneville was allowed to step behind an NHL bench tonight is beyond me. Given what we’ve learned in the last 30 hours, there’s no reason for him to be working while the league process plays out.“ The Blackhawks hired law firm Jenner & Block to investigate Beach’s allegations back in May. As a result of the investigation, which was made public Tuesday, the NHL fined Chicago $2 million for their mishandling of the assault and harassment. The franchise took responsibility for the situation, issuing a statement that read, „It is clear the organization and its executives at that time did not live up to our own standards or values in handling these disturbing incidents.“ The team’s general manager, Stan Bowman, resigned Tuesday after the findings were released and also stepped down as GM of the 2022 U.S. Olympic men’s ice hockey team. „In light of what’s happened today, I think it’s in the best interests of USA Hockey for me to step aside,“ Bowman said in a statement. In July, Quenneville told the AP he only „first learned of these allegations through the media earlier this summer,“ adding, „I have contacted the Blackhawks organization to let them know I will support and participate in the independent review.“ However, the Jenner & Block investigation revealed Quenneville was aware of the severe accusations in 2010 and took part in at least one meeting with Blackhawks executives in which the allegations were discussed. In 2013, Aldrich pleaded guilty to misdemeanor criminal sexual conduct with a former Michigan high school hockey player and was sentenced to nine months in prison. A player from that team has also filed a lawsuit against the Blackhawks for negligence. On Wednesday, Forbes attempted to contact Aldrich and Gary for comment but has not heard back. 139. That’s the number of people Jenner & Block interviewed during their investigation into the assault. Kyle Beach Reveals He Filed Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Chicago Blackhawks (Forbes) Chicago Blackhawks‘ Stan Bowman Out As GM Amid Investigation Into Sexual Assault Cover-Up (Forbes)<\/p>\n