Less than a week after allegations of racist and physical abuse towards ex-players, Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters has resigned, according to TSN’s Frank Seravalli.
The Flames will hold a press conference at 12:30 PM eastern time.
Following Mike Babcock’s firing from Toronto, former player Akim Aliu made a statement via Twitter that he had been the subject of racist abuse by Peters, Babcock’s one-time protege. Subsequent allegations of physical abuse were then made and corroborated by Peters’ former team, the Carolina Hurricanes, from whom Peters resigned last year.
On Tuesday, the Flames temporarily removed Peters from coaching responsibilities while they conducted an investigation.
#Flames Associate Coach Geoff Ward is running practice. pic.twitter.com/rxBAcO56q5
— Derek Wills (@Fan960Wills) November 26, 2019
On Wednesday, Peters sent a nominal apology letter to Calgary GM Brad Treliving. The letter appears to have had no effect in slowing the investigation.
With Peters’ departure expected within the hour, current assistant coach Geoff Ward is a likely candidate for coach, at least on an interim basis. Calgary is currently in fifth place in the Pacific Division with a 12-12-4 record.
This post has been updated to indicate the news from Brad Treliving that Peters resigned.
