Turmoil inside Team USA Hockey as Mike Sullivan set to lead Olympic squad

PITTSBURGH — In about 100 days, Penguins Coach Mike Sullivan will coach Team USA Hockey in the Beijing Olympic Games. But as the games draw nearer, there is turmoil inside Team USA Hockey.

Stan Bowman stepped down today as general manager of the 2022 US Olympic Men’s Hockey Team. He also resigned as president of hockey operations for the Chicago Blackhawks. It’s because of an investigation into how a sexual assault allegation was handled during the Blackhawks Stanley Cup Run in 2010.

The allegation involves former Blackhawks video coach Brad Aldrich and an unnamed player. The player filed a lawsuit claiming Aldrich sexually assaulted him and another player.

In June, the Blackhawks named an independent law firm to do a full investigation. The findings were released this week. They revealed the unnamed player told senior director of hockey administration Al MacIsaac about the alleged assault in early May. The player met with several team executives, including Bowman, later that month. Still, Aldrich was allowed to remain with the team, participate in the Stanley Cup parade, and get a Stanley Cup ring. Aldrich resigned that June.

The Blackhawks fired MacIsaac today, and the NHL said its fining the team $2 million for not handling the situation in a sufficient and timely manner.

Bowman released a statement saying he stepped down in Chicago because he didn’t want to be a distraction. He echoed that sentiment about Team USA Hockey.

“In light of what’s happened today, I think it’s in the best interest of USA Hockey for me to step aside,” Bowman said. “I’m grateful to have been selected and wish our team the very best in Beijing.”

Bowman was named GM of Team USA Hockey in March. He announced Sullivan as the head coach of the team in July.

At the time Bowman said,” (Sullivan) knows what it takes to get a team ready in a short tournament and we could not be happier to have him as our head coach as we look to bring home gold.”

In a statement, USA Hockey said it expects to announce a replacement for Bowman in the near future.

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