USA Hockey President Will Not Seek Third Term

[Youth Hockey Info]

Amid a whirlwind of controversy, USA Hockey President will step away after June election


File photo of former youth hockey coach Thomas "Chico" Adrahtas (Date Unknown).

USA Hockey President Jim Smith has notified staff of his intentions to step down from his role with no intention to run for a third term. Elections will be held at USA Hockey's annual congressional meetings in June.

Smith's decision comes on the heels of the announcement of a federal lawsuit on behalf of several former players coached by renowned Chicago youth hockey coach Thomas "Chico" Adrahtas. former players as far back as 1999 such as Kelly Gee, Michael Sacks, Christopher Jensen and others who wish to remain anonymous are reportedly filing the suit. Reports from the plaintiffs tell a story in which part of their grooming included being blind-folded and bound as Adrahtas sexually abused them. Complaints surfaced in 2010 while Adrahtas was coaching at Roosevelt University, (Formerly Robert Morris University). Because of his success, Adrahtas took advantage of his protection as he continued to coach for almost 40 years.




In February 2010, upon receiving a formal allegation of sexual abuse that occurred 26 years earlier, AHAI suspended former coach Thomas "Chico" Adrahtas...He was no longer allowed to coach any youth hockey program in Illinois."

Over a week ago, Kelly Gee filed in federal court, a suit against the University of Minnesota, USA Hockey, Amateur Hockey Association Illinois, and Thomas Adrahtas, (video below).



The USA Hockey President has denied being aware of any criminal activity and although he is not named as a defendant in the case, he believes it's in the best interest to move on from his role.

[Guest]

The cbs report says this was reported in 2010 and usa hockey along with ahai did nothing and still allowed the guy to coach? It wasn't until last year safesport banned him for life? Throw the book at him and everybody involved this is a terrible abuse of authority on every level.

[Guest]

Am I the only one missing why a sexual predator was being given a free pass when it looks like everybody seemed to know about his criminal behavior? I cannot ever wrap my head around how kids fall for being told what is going on is acceptable. For fear they may not play anymore? In this case they were all young men and college students.

[Guest]

Do any of you parents talk to your kids about awareness and using your head to differentiate right from wrong? There is going to be a laundry list of former players to be exposed or remain anonymous in this trial. I'm not blaming them for being raped instead I question why they allowed it and that evil man to continue sexually abusing others well after they had moved on into adulthood.

[Guest]

I feel so sorry for those poor kids their lives must be a mess.

[Guest]

How do things like this even happen?  How are kids left alone with non-related or untrusted adults?  I’m sure it was a “you won’t get ice time if you don’t” and “if you tell your anyone, you won’t make the team.”

I’ve already had to tell my son that no coach is allowed to put hands on him in anger.  He is to tell me otherwise and I will address it.  We’ve already had the discussion with all our kids about no one should touch you except medical professionals with a legit purposes or mom/dad when helping dress, bathe, etc.  All mine are getting old for that though.

As a parent though, how is that coach still above ground?

[Guest]

Thats the nail on the head they were all 17 years and older not kids under 15yr old. Maybe these players never made pros but there are stories of pro players who were molested in juniors. Maybe they thought or coach promised if they played his games they'd be the next top player. Brainwashed is the only thing that comes to mind. Parents still do this today pushing their kids to be what they want them to be and constantly pushing them to get to the next great coach. Does anybody really check their backgrounds when they've put together a career and built a reputation of being the best? Food for thought

[Guest]

Just another failure by USA Hockey which collects millions in “mandatory fees” every season yet does absolutely nothing to improve youth hockey.  The whole organization should be disbanded.

[Guest]

Oh my, I can't believe this kind of stuff still exists with all of the safety measures USA hockey puts in place. And to see that it all may have been known the whole time makes it look really bad for the USA.

[Youth Hockey Info]

A couple of comments were removed from the same guy responding to himself. Act like an adult please, not a child.