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Flames head coach Bill Peters reportedly used racial slur

By Dave Stevenson

CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 07: Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters addresses the media after his team beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in an NHL game on November 7, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - NOVEMBER 07: Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters addresses the media after his team beat the New Jersey Devils 5-2 in an NHL game on November 7, 2019, at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, AB. (Photo by Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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According to a former player, Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters directed racial slurs at him while he was coaching in the AHL.

The Calgary Flames have recently come under fire due to losing seven of their last eight games, with five of those losses coming in regulation. In 12 November games, they have merely two regulation wins. Now head coach Bill Peters is under fire after reportedly directing a racial slur at a former player while he was coaching in the AHL in the Chicago Blackhawks organization.

This incident allegedly happened during the 2009-10 season, when Peters was the head coach of the Rockford Icehogs of the AHL. The alleged victim is Akim Aliu. In a thread on Twitter, he discussed how Peters directed racial slurs at him on more than one occasion. These allegations came out shortly after it was confirmed Mike Babcock shared a list of the Maple Leafs hardest workers he made Mitch Marner make during his rookie season.

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According to ESPN, the Flames are investigating these claims. The NHL is as well, according to Darren Dreger. After Monday night’s game, Flames general manager Brad Treliving made a statement to the media.

Peters was hired by the Flames following the 2017-18 season after ending his contract with the Carolina Hurricanes. He coached the Hurricanes from the 2014-15 season to the 2017-18 season.

My Take

I usually try to stick to sports on this blog, but I feel this is an appropriate time to not stick to sports. Some things are way more important than sports. This is one of them.

These allegations need to be taken very seriously. Unfortunately, racism is deeply rooted in hockey. While things have improved, racism is still quite prevalent and we still have a very long way to go as a society.

The NHL claims that “hockey is for everyone”. That’s a nice saying, but it really doesn’t mean anything unless they back it up with actions. If Peters directed racial slurs at Aliu, it needs to be dealt with swiftly. The NHL can’t claim “hockey is for everyone” and allow someone who doesn’t embody that statement to represent them.

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As a white male, I struggle with how to deal with racism and inequality. It pains me to know people suffer solely because of their race or something they can’t control. My best advice if you don’t know what to do is to listen. If you have a friend who is hurting and you don’t know why, listen. If you have a friend who is passionate about an issue you don’t know too much about, ask them about it. Ask them how you can help. Treat other people the way you want to be treated. Encourage those who have been hurt.

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