The Calgary Flames‘ process regarding the future of head coach Bill Peters is reaching its conclusion, according to Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman, with the expectation being that Peters will be removed as coach of the Flames. However there is no exact clarity on timing.
“I think, Jeff (Marek), that this process is reaching its conclusion,” Friedman said during Thursday night’s Hockey Central. “I can’t tell you when exactly that’s going to be but the thing that we all expected is for Peters to be removed as head coach of the Calgary Flames and I think we’re getting close, I just can’t give you an exact time.”
Peters has been under investigation by the Flames after Akim Aliu, who used to play for him, alleged on Twitter that Peters had directed a racial slur towards him “several times” while the two were together in the AHL.
Aliu played for Peters when he was head coach of the Rockford IceHogs, Chicago’s AHL affiliate, for five games in the 2008-09 season and 48 games in 2009-10. Aliu also appeared in 13 games for the ECHL’s Toledo Walleye in ’09-10.
Since the allegation, Peters has not run a practice for the Flames and was not on the bench for their Wednesday night game in Buffalo. He also did not join the team on their charter flight back to Calgary.
During Calgary’s game against Buffalo, Peters released an apology to the Flames in regards to the incident involving Aliu, though he did not mention Aliu by name.
Flames GM Brad Treliving spoke to the media shortly after Peters’ apology was released and reiterated the team’s investigation was ongoing.
On Thursday morning, Aliu issued a statement responding to Peters’ apology.
I have read the statement of Bill Peters, which I found to be misleading, insincere and concerning. I have accepted an invitation from the NHL to meet and discuss this situation. Out of respect for that process I will not respond publicly to the statement or discuss the racism and discrimination that I have endured until after my meeting.
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