[News] Bill Peters resigns as head coach. No longer part of Flames org. Ward interim HC

[MrCallahan]

please play this during the press conference.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iOpUdsMeqM

[Savvy27]

I'm glad that this is happening today instead of tomorrow. It's still an issue the players and coaches will have to address and be distracted by, but it should allow them to make their comments if they choose today and then tomorrow keep the focus on the Senators.

I don't think many people expected any other outcome than this. Hopefully it leads to some positive change in the game, a lot of reflection for coaches everywhere, some sense of peace for Aliu, and better vetting of NHL coaches going forward.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

I must have missed the Commodore tweet on Peters prior to Aliu. What did he say?

Actually maybe i'm wrong. Didn't Commodore originally tweet something about Peters being a Babcock disciple.
Or am I getting mixed up?

[Lubicon]

Originally Posted by Scorch

I wonder if we’ll get an official statement from Cross Burning Bill after the press conference too

Not sure what purpose that would serve? There really isn't anything to be accomplished by doing this.

Originally Posted by Scorch

Wasn’t there a Sun poll where 75% Calgarians accepted the apology from Peters? That was eye opening

Why would it be eye opening? We do not have to condone his actions (and should not) but accepting an apology is fine - assuming it is genuine. His actions and his apology are two very different things. Doesn't mean you agree with what he did.

[Roof-Daddy]

I sure hope Peters' being gone lifts the dark cloud that's been hanging over this team since the break last season.

Somehow I doubt it will be that easy though.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Loaded question.
A more appropriate one to get an actual response would be

"Can you tell us if the team is reviewing your hiring processes as a result of this, and if you anticipate making any changes based on this experience"?

Great point. Instead of "why did it happen," "it happened, how is it not going to happen again."

[locsofblu]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

I sure hope Peters' being gone lifts the dark cloud that's been hanging over this team since the break last season.

Somehow I doubt it will be that easy though.

4th coach in 6 seasons. I highly highly doubt it!

[dissentowner]

[Shazam]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Theres a really important lesson in all of this about the power of speech. One word, a six letter word, said 10 years ago can have a massive impact to the point it can cause hostilities between unlikely parties.

The one word Peters uttered so long ago has single handedly divided a fan base.

Next time someone claims free speech, I hope they remember this controversy and the power their speech has.

Relevant in Canada too.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Don Cherry fired on Remembrance day...

Peters on black friday...


what did Alanis sing about in that hit song of hers?

"...with the other hand I'm hailing a taxi cab" ?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Locke

Ironic because people are typically happy and upbeat whenever Dave Coulier leaves.

Hey! This is off topic! Ooh you sneaky bastard you!

Is that actualy irony? I always get mixed up...

[Torture]

Originally Posted by Otto29

Its obvious Peters is done in Calgary. Reading all the comments here, I wish our society was able to not be so quick to judge others. I just wanted to see Bill Peter's be given a fair opportunity to defend him self but because the allegation was posted on Twitter his fate was set.

Peters himself confirmed it happened in his apology letter.

Originally Posted by Otto29

Social media destroys lives. This didn't have to go down this way. Also, before you all disagree I'm sure everyone here as said something racist or homophobic at some point in your life. How would you feel of tomorrow your life was decimated because of a word?

Most of us aren't NHL coaches that work in a highly visible leadership position where we interact with the media on a daily basis so honestly, most of us probably wouldn't be fired if it came out that we said something racist ten years ago.

Bill Peters has made millions of dollars coaching young adults to play a game. Yes it sucks for him and his family but I think he'll be fine.

Originally Posted by Otto29

I am in no was saying that racism is acceptable but let's take a beat to look at the situation and fairly assess all the facts....like the Flames tried to do

Are you saying they weren't successful in fairly assessing all the facts...?

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Great point. Instead of "why did it happen," "it happened, how is it not going to happen again."

The media is often accused of soft-ball questions, but you have to keep in mind the purpose of any question is to
- Get as much information as possible. Accusatory or confrontational questions never work in this regard
- Maintain the relationship going forward.

So it's a tough balance, particularly in these cases. But there are ways of asking tough questions to extract actual and real responses, without putting them on the defensive.

There are situations where it is appropriate for a report to go more on the attack - but they are more rare, and even there seldom work, except to get a one-time frustrated/angry sound bite that actually doesn't provide any info.

[taxbuster]

Originally Posted by Lanny'sDaMan

Free speech grants you the right to say what you want. It does not grant you immunity from the fallout of said things you wanted to say.

That is not what free speech is in Canada. It is the power to speak freely, within certain reasonable restrictions (eg hate speech) without interference from the laws of Canada. It does NOT give you the right to say whatever you want, anywhere, any time.

You are, however, correct in the fallout portion - there may, indeed, be consequences to things you say.

[FanIn80]

Originally Posted by Buff

"...with the other hand I'm hailing a taxi cab" ?

Now I just want to know what the first hand was doing.

[Stauner]

Fired on black friday

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by The Boy Wonder

Don Cherry fired on Remembrance day...

Peters on black friday...


what did Alanis sing about in that hit song of hers?

A bunch of stuff that wasn't ironic.

[Ryan Coke]

I never thought Glen Gulutzan would last longer as the Flames coach than Bill Peters.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Now I just want to know what the first hand was doing.

I don't know. It was in her pocket.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

I kinda lumped in everything we've heard about him over the last few days. Fair point, that the Aliu situation would have been difficult to uncover, but the other stuff should have come up somewhere, I would think.

I honestly don't think it would have. When Brind'Amour spoke to the media about what happened in Carolina on the bench he said that it happened, it was dealt with internally, and they moved on without further incident. I expect that Treliving would have learned nothing about it, nor any other abusive behaviours.