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Blackhawks' Rocky Wirtz Apologizes for Comments About Changes After Kyle Beach Case
February 3, 2022
Chicago Blackhawks principal owner and chairman Rocky Wirtz has apologized for his dismissive and combative comments toward The Athletic's Mark Lazerus and the Chicago Tribune's Phillip Thompson during a town hall meeting Wednesday.
Wirtz also released an apology statement:
Both Lazerus and Thompson asked how the organization would take proactive steps after an independent report from the law firm of Jenner & Block found that the team grossly mishandled its response to former team minor leaguer Kyle Beach's sexual assault allegations against former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.
Lazerus posted his full exchange with Wirtz:
Video of the exchange can be found via The Athletic:
The Athletic @TheAthletic.<a href="https://twitter.com/MarkLazerus?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@MarkLazerus</a> asked Blackhawks chairman Rocky Wirtz how the team is working to empower players in the wake of the Kyle Beach situation.<br><br>Wirtz: "We're not going to talk about Kyle Beach. We're not going to talk about 2010. We're moving on."<br><br>🎥 <a href="https://twitter.com/NHLBlackhawks?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@NHLBlackhawks</a> <a href="https://t.co/B12Rr5RusS">pic.twitter.com/B12Rr5RusS</a>
Thompson followed up Lazerus' questioning and also entered the line of fire from the owner for his remarks.
Beach, who filed a lawsuit against the team, reached an out-of-court settlement with the Blackhawks in December.
