Phil Thompson: Blackhawks promised transparency and accountability after 2010 scandal. Rocky Wirtz’s belligerent outburst in a town hall showed neither.
CHICAGO — True story: I was supposed to be off Wednesday.
My Chicago Tribune colleague, Chicago White Sox beat reporter LaMond Pope, volunteered to cover Wednesday night’s Blackhawks home game against the Minnesota Wild.
But the Hawks scheduled a town hall at the United Center, simulcast on YouTube and Twitter, and I felt it was too important to miss.
I learned in advance Hawks officials would address fan-submitted questions, and among them were queries about TV play-by-play broadcaster Pat Foley, tickets and the general manager search.
And 2010.
The town hall should’ve been an opportunity for Hawks brass to put a button on an unfortunate saga in franchise history.
In May 2010, Hawks prospect Kyle Beach accused video coach Brad Aldrich of sexually assaulting him. But after senior managers discussed the allegation during a meeting, they scuttled the complaint until after the Hawks won the Stanley Cup, according to the findings of independent law firm Jenner & Block.
During a public briefing about
