Photo: NY Post
Bill Peters resigned as head coach of the Calgary Flames on Friday morning. Peters did not coach the Flames’ 3-2 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres on Wednesday after former NHL forward Akim Aliu accused him of dropping the ‘N’ bomb on him after Peters didn’t approve of his taste in music that he played in the locker room during the 2009-10 season when he coached the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.
Brad Treliving says Bill Peters sent a letter of resignation, which was accepted. Peters is “no longer a member of the Calgary #Flames effectively immediately.”
— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) November 29, 2019
After Aliu made his first accusations on Tuesday, former Carolina Hurricanes forward Michal Jordan said that Peters kicked and punched players on the bench during his tenure in Carolina from 2014-18. Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour confirmed that was true prior to their game at the New York Rangers on Wednesday, saying “it definitely happened.”
.@NHLFlames GM Brad Treliving says he received a letter of resignation from Bill Peters this morning. pic.twitter.com/txt6oe8sdK
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 29, 2019
Peters released an apology to Flames GM Brad Treliving on Thursday but Aliu called it “misleading, insincere, and concerning” in a statement released in response. Aliu has agreed to meet with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman to discuss this situation.
Flames associate coach Geoff Ward took charge behind the bench for the team’s game against the Sabres on Wednesday. Ward was named the team’s interim head coach.
Brad Treliving breaks down the timeline of events that led to Bill Peters’ resignation. pic.twitter.com/GgaG7OUhzP
— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) November 29, 2019
Peters came in fourth place in voting for the Jack Adams Award, which is awarded to the NHL’s head coach of the season, last year, his first behind the bench, after leading the Flames to a Western Conference-leading 107-point campaign after they missed the Stanley Cup Playoffs in 2017-18.
Statement from the @NHL on today’s resignation by @NHLFlames head coach Bill Peters. pic.twitter.com/DEbKcYsyCV
— NHL Public Relations (@PR_NHL) November 29, 2019
The Flames’ 28 points are currently tied with the Vegas Golden Knights for the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference, though the Golden Knights have a game in hand on them. They were 1-5-2 in their last eight games with Peters behind the bench.
By Harrison Brown
Good Riddance!!!!!
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