Lawyers representing the Chicago Blackhawks sent a letter to Kyle Beach's attorney Thursday requesting mediation in their lawsuit settlement negotiations.
Beach's attorney Susan Loggans confirmed the existence of the letter to Sportsnet after details from it were first reported by TSN and the Chicago Sun Times.
In the letter, the Blackhawks attorneys wrote that an initial demand from Beach was "extraordinary."
Beach, a former player in the Blackhawks organization, is suing the team over alleged actions that were made public in a report published by Jenner & Block two weeks ago after an investigation into conduct that occurred during the team's 2010 run to the Stanley Cup. The investigation revealed that Beach reported to team employees that he had been sexually assaulted by then video coach Brad Aldrich in May of 2010. The investigation also revealed that a management meeting was held on May 23 to discuss how to respond to Beach's allegation but that no action was taken until mid-June, after the team had won the Stanley Cup.
None of the allegations made in the lawsuit have been proven in court.
In a statement after the findings of the report were made public, Blackhawks CEO Danny Wirtz said that he had instructed the team's lawyers to come to a "fair resolution" in the lawsuit, which was initially filed in May.
The Sun Times reports that settlement negotiations were held on Nov. 2 and 5. The newspaper adds that the Blackhawks lawyers believe the two parties have "very different views" of what a settlement could look like.
Loggans confirmed to Sportsnet that the Blackhawks have never extended a counteroffer to the initial ask from her client.
Loggans has not publically disclosed what her client is asking for in damages, but she told the Sun Times that it included estimated career earnings for Beach, a former first-round pick who never skated in an NHL game.
According to the Sun Times, the Blackhawks also requested mediation before the Nov. 2 negotiation took place but that Loggans is opposed to that path.
The Blackhawks did not respond to a request for comment from Sportsnet.
