First, it was Mike Babcock's reprehensible treatment of a 19-year-old Mitch Marner during his rookie year. Then it was Bill Peters abusing his players and uttering racial slurs. Now it seems as though the Sutter family is the next on the list of allegations of abuse emanating from former players either witnessing or being the target of inappropriate actions from men in a position of power in hockey.
According to former NHL player Daniel Carcillo, the Western Hockey League (WHL) had knowledge of inappropriate actions taking place and chose to ignore the situation in an attempt to keep the Sutter family name from being tarnished.
The issues that the WHL chose to ignore related to alcohol abuse under the age of majority, both verbal and physical abuse and also sexual abuse that occurred at a rookie party. Some young men were even forced to dress in women's clothing as a part of a hazing ritual.
When the WHL refused to act, apparently Hockey Canada was brought in and also elected to ignore the indiscretions to protect the Sutter family.
Brent, Brian, Darryl, Duane, Rich, and Ron Sutter all enjoyed lengthy NHL careers and each pursued coaching and management at various levels following the end of their playing careers.
Carcillo, who played for the Los Angeles Kings under Darryl Sutter during the 2013-14 season, has come forward to corroborate some of the allegations against the Sutters, having witnessed the abusive actions himself.
Carcillo declined the invitation to meet with Yahoo Sports Canada to comment on the matter further.
