[News] UPD: Friedman: Peters being officially removed as head coach is close

[Savvy27]

The allegations are pretty stunning to me. Like even beyond the racist language. To single out a rookie player in the room over warm up music, use that language, receive complaints from your players, then double down and not apologize in a private meeting blows my mind.

I've been coaching hockey since before 2008 (not at that level but I have been employed as a coach) and that behaviour along with that language simply would not have been tolerated by any organization I coached with (that being said, I coached for organizations that were not solely about hockey). That is an awful culture being created and it's bizarre that Peters continued to find new opportunities.

Honestly I would like to hear Derek Ryan's perspective as a guy who played for Peters in 2 different leagues and supposedly came to Calgary in part because of the coach.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Dube

How do you know who they talked to?

Treliving admitted at the STH meeting that Peters was a targeted hire.

[mrdonkey]

Originally Posted by rhino

I wonder how ownership feels about the fact Treliving was so quick to hire him? There was not much of a coaching search done.

Why would ownership put this on Treliving? There’s no way he could have known about this and he’s handling it appropriately now that it’s out there.

And I would hope they’re not meddling with Treliving’s decision for the next hire. If they are then we have much bigger things to worry about than coaching.

[rhino]

Originally Posted by Dube

How do you know who they talked to?

Pretty public knowledge that Peters exercised his out option on his contract to take the Flames job. Also known that there were only a couple interviews with no serious interest.

[DropIt]

I'm thinking the fact Peter's hasnt addressed this had to do with team policy so far? I'm sure he isnt afraid to do so, but rather is not being permitted to doing so.

The fact that at one point he was considered terminated makes me think the organization has a zero tolerance policy though, and that's a good thing.

[rhino]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Why would ownership put this on Treliving? There’s no way he could have known about this and he’s handling it appropriately now that it’s out there.

And I would hope they’re not meddling with Treliving’s decision for the next hire. If they are then we have much bigger things to worry about than coaching.

Not saying they “put” it on him. Just that his hiring was done quickly and maybe more reference checking could have been done. Not making a factual statement but a curious one.

[bettercallbettman]

Originally Posted by rhino

Pretty public knowledge that Peters exercised his out option on his contract to take the Flames job. Also known that there were only a couple interviews with no serious interest.

So he had his guy. What’s the issue? Bad hire.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

I seem to be out of thanks, so thanks to those who deserve them. You know who you are.

Agreed. While there have been some disappointing comments on here, it’s pretty clear there are a number of thoughtful posters who see this for what it is.

I disagree with posters like TC sometimes on hockey topics but he’s knocking it our of the park on this far more important subject (as are several others).

[powderjunkie]

Originally Posted by Hockeyguy15

Well if Peters did say racist things to him, I feel like now would be the time to be comfortable bringing it up. He's likely on the way out anyway and this would solidify it and there would be very little blow back from anyone in the oranization.

Still plenty of reason to not say anything publicly - unless maybe he had an 8 year contract in place. There is no benefit to saying anything, but still a risk that you get painted as a squeaky wheel.

I'm sure he would have shared any issues with BT privately.

[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I think they hate the guy so this doesn’t surprise me.

Certainly sounds that way, and could fit with the performances they've been putting in. They'll be a more fun team to watch if they start having fun again.

[djsFlames]

Speaking just of the hockey side of things I didn't think that the head coach could be an issue again and that it would be a poor excuse and easy out for a group of guys that need to step up themselves, but in light of what's been revealed here perhaps as Peters tenure has gone on and the players have gotten to know his ways, it could very well be correlated to the notable drop off to where the players have looked downtrodden and at times appeared to have quit over the first stretch of this season.

Maybe there were issues in the room with the coach and the core guys kept it under wraps so as to not cause up a stir, but it was effecting the team nonetheless.

I hope Ward is the interim coach, I was both encouraged and impressed by his insight and positivity in the post game the other night.

[DropIt]

Originally Posted by mrdonkey

Why would ownership put this on Treliving? There’s no way he could have known about this and he’s handling it appropriately now that it’s out there.

And I would hope they’re not meddling with Treliving’s decision for the next hire. If they are then we have much bigger things to worry about than coaching.

Yeah I'm not sure what people expect the interview process to entail, but calling players from a team 10 years ago to ask if he is racist doesnt seem like standard practice

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Makarov

And in front of his entire team.

And he was the coach, a position of significant trust and authority over the career of a young hockey player.

Just a terrible situation for Aliu to find himself in.

The goofy thing is - Peters calls Aliu into the office, says "I really don't like that music you've been playing - the language bothers me", then rookie Akim probably changes it up, thanks the coach, goes on to have a decent relationship with him and it's better for everyone.

Which makes me think this was not only racist, but a move designed to humiliate Aliu.

[Sylvanfan]

Originally Posted by rhino

Not saying they “put” it on him. Just that his hiring was done quickly and maybe more reference checking could have been done. Not making a factual statement but a curious one.

Yeah, but here we are like 11 years later and Aliu is now coming forward. Plus two team mates, address this now, but did nothing at the time as well. So really how much reference checking are you going to do? Short of asking every single player who played for Peters that Direct question, I doubt Treliving was going to uncover it. In a way it's terrible, that something like this was silent for this long. Who know's what Aliu's career could have been if this is addressed properly at the time.

From what I remember of Aliu, he was always a guy with a lot of potential, but always seemed to have trouble fitting in with his teams. Had people or teams taken a different approach with him, maybe he would have been able to reach his potential.

[dissentowner]

All I know is even if Peters admits it and apologizes and he keeps his job somehow I don't see how I can support this team while he is still head coach. That is inexcusable, I believe I would have to take a long break from Flames hockey and would always be pissed off at the team.

[Flash Walken]

Does anyone think Bill Peters reputation as a hardass taskmaster was incidental to why he was selected to be the coach...?

[Frank MetaMusil]

Originally Posted by dissentowner

All I know is even if Peters admits it and apologizes and he keeps his job somehow I don't see how I can support this team while he is still head coach. That is inexcusable, I believe I would have to take a long break from Flames hockey and would always be pissed off at the team.

Man, if the Flames keep him you will eventually see fans wearing the jersey being called racists as well.

He has to go.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by rhino

I wonder how ownership feels about the fact Treliving was so quick to hire him? There was not much of a coaching search done.

I think that is a separate question. When the Flames did their comprehensive coaching search two years prior, it is likely that vetting would not have touched on much of this stuff in the first place. Maybe that changes moving forward, and not just for the Flames.

[Makarov]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

The goofy thing is - Peters calls Aliu into the office, says "I really don't like that music you've been playing - the language bothers me", then rookie Akim probably changes it up, thanks the coach, goes on to have a decent relationship with him and it's better for everyone.

Which makes me think this was not only racist, but a move designed to humiliate Aliu.

Agreed. That attempt to humiliate Aliu may have been motivated by some misguided (and in itself unacceptable) Babcockian-school-of-amateur-psychology textbook about motivating hockey players. Or it may have been motivated by something more sinister. We will never know the answer. However, when one acts the way Peters allegedly acted, it certainly leaves the door wide open for people to suspect motivation #2.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Agreed. While there have been some disappointing comments on here, it’s pretty clear there are a number of thoughtful posters who see this for what it is.

I disagree with posters like TC sometimes on hockey topics but he’s knocking it our of the park on this far more important subject (as are several others).

The feeling is mutual.