The Calgary Flames have moved on from head coach Bill Peters.
Not because the team, which is expected to contend this season, was 26th in points percentage and won just 11 times in 27 games under Peters.
Peters is no longer with the team due to a much more important matters: racism, and abuse.
Akim Aliu recently tweeted out a very condemning story of an encounter with Peters when they were members of the Rockford Icehogs back in 2009-10.
Two former teammates of Aliu have since gone on record backing his statements, which Frank Seravalli did a great job of reporting at TSN.ca.
This happened long ago but it was unacceptable then and it’s unacceptable now. It can’t go unpunished.
As if the Aliu incident wasn’t enough, other alarming information was shared from players with experience under Peters.
Former #Canes player Michal Jordan confirms to #TSN that there were "multiple" physical altercations between coach Bill Peters and players in Carolina.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 26, 2019
"He kicked me pretty hard in the back during a game," Jordan said. "Even the trainers and the other guys saw it."
Multiple sources also confirmed to #TSN the other physical altercation alleged in Jordan's tweet: Peters also struck a #Canes defenceman in the head on the bench during a game.
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 26, 2019
To this point, that #Canes player has wished to remain anonymous. It's his story to tell, until then.
So multiple public allegations of racism and/or abuse came out over the last few days. And I doubt we’ve seen all of it.
I can only imagine what other players – especially those who have dealt with Peters for long periods of time like Elias Lindholm, Noah Hanifin and Derek Ryan – have seen or gone through.
You absolutely can’t have someone who would treat people this way in your organization, let alone holding a position of such power.
It’ll be interesting to see where the Flames go from here.
Given they considered Geoff Ward for the HC position last time around, and generally don't pay for marquee names, I wouldn't be surprised if his interim tag gets removed – should better results follow in the coming weeks and months.
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