Chicago Blackhawks owner Rocky Wirtz speaks during a news conference in 2018 in Chicago. Speaking Wednesday night at a town hall organized by the team, Wirtz angrily rejected any conversation connected to the franchise's response when a player said he was sexually assaulted by an assistant coach. (AP file photo)

Wirtz made his remarks at a town hall. It was the first time the franchise’s top leaders had faced questions in public since the team published a report by an outside law firm that found the organization badly mishandled Kyle Beach’s allegations that he was assaulted by then-video coach Brad Aldrich during the team’s run to the 2010 Stanley Cup title.

“Tonight, at the Chicago Blackhawks town hall, my response to two questions crossed the line,” Wirtz said in a release. “I want to apologize to the fans and those reporters, and I regret that my response overshadowed the great work this organization is doing to move forward. We have the right leaders and right processes in place to create a safe environment for our employees and players.”

The town hall on a snowy night in Chicago was supposed to be the latest step in the franchise’s work to repair its tattered reputation. But it was derailed by Wirtz’s response when a reporter tried to ask Danny Wirtz, Rocky’s son and the team’s CEO, about what the organization was doing to address the power dynamic between players and coaches in light of Beach’s accusations.

“I’m going to answer the question, not Danny,” Rocky Wirtz said. “I think the report speaks for itself. The people that were involved are no longer here. We’re not looking back at 2010, we’re looking forward. And we’re not going to talk about 2010.”

President Barack Obama reacts to receiving a parking pass from Blackhawks hockey team Chairman Rocky Wirtz during a ceremony to honor the 2015 NHL Stanley Cup Champion Chicago Blackhawks on Feb. 18, 2016, in the East Room of the White House in Washington. The parking pass is good for all games and all dates at the United Center in Chicago. (AP file photo)

When Danny Wirtz tried to respond, Rocky Wirtz cut off his son and said it was none of the reporter’s business. Asked how it wasn’t the reporter’s business, Rocky Wirtz responded: “You don’t work for the company.”

“If somebody in the company asks that question, we’ll answer it,” Wirtz continued. “And I think you should get on to the next subject. We’re not going to talk about Kyle Beach. We’re not going to talk about anything that happened. Now we’re moving on. What more do I have to say?”

Wirtz also repeatedly interrupted a follow-up question by a second reporter. “Why do you bring up old business?” Wirtz said.

Wirtz’s outburst calls into question the direction of the franchise — once regarded as one of the NHL’s best organizations — as it looks for new leadership for its hockey operations department.