By Amy Tennery

NEW YORK, (Reuters) – The Florida Panthers’ head coach Joel Quenneville resigned Thursday following an independent investigation that found his ex-team, the Chicago Blackhawks failed to respond to allegations of sexual assault by a player in 2010 against a coach.

On Tuesday, the Blackhawks reported that John McDonough, President of the Blackhawks, was aware of claims by Brad Aldrich about sexual assaulting a player while Quenneville had been coach. However, McDonough did not wish to be associated with negative publicity.

Chicago took the Cup in 1993, with Quenneville serving as his head coach. He was a Panthers player in 2019.

Kyle Beach stated Wednesday that he is the person who reported the accusations of sexual assault.

Aldrich claimed in the report that the encounter was completely consensual.

Matt Caldwell, Panthers CEO and President said that “it should be obvious that the conduct described by that report is troubling” in a statement.

Kyle Beach’s experience in Chicago and the years that followed should not be repeated.

He was simply failed.

Quenneville met on Thursday with Gary Bettman, the NHL Commissioner. Quenneville said that his former team, The Blackhawks, failed Kyle, and that he owns his share.

“I would like to take the time to think about how this all happened, and to learn more on how to ensure that hockey areas are safe for everyone.”

Bettman indicated that Quenneville was not in need of any additional action by the NHL at this point.

“Should he desire to re-enter league in any capacity in the future? I will require him to meet with me in advance to establish the conditions in which this new employment could take place.”

On Thursday, Bettman sent a memo to NHL teams. The commissioner asked all league personnel and players to immediately report any conduct they feel is inappropriate, illegal or abusive.

CBC News reports that Kevin Cheveldayoff (an assistant general manager at Chicago in 2010 who is currently general manager of Winnipeg Jets) will meet Bettman Monday.

Beach expressed gratitude for all the support and love he has received in this past week via Twitter (NYSE :).

Beach said that even though the Blackhawks have apologized for their mistakes and have released the results of the private inquiry, “my battle is just beginning” as they continue to try to ruin my case in court.

Beach is suing the team.

According to the Blackhawks, they have stated in a statement that they will make every effort to resolve these issues to correct any harm Beach has suffered.