According to Sportnet's Elliotte Friedman, Calgary's investigation into Bill Peters racially-charged remarks to Akim Aliu is almost finished. Friedman adds it appears to be a matter of when, and not if, Peters will be fired.
"I think...that this process is reaching its conclusion,” Friedman said during Thursday night's Hockey Central. “I can't tell you when exactly that's going to be but the thing that we all expected is for Peters to be removed as head coach of the Calgary Flames and I think we're getting close, I just can't give you an exact time."
That's not likely to come as a surprise to anyone. Not many gave Peters a chance of coming out of this situation with his job as head coach of the Flames intact.
The investigation into Peters began earlier this week when Aliu sent out series of Tweets alleging Peters directed the N-word at him while he was playing for the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL in 2009-10. Peters was coaching that team at the time. He has since admitted to making the remarks, although he said in a letter that he apologized for his actions in the locker room shortly after. That's something Aliu says is not true. He also called Peters' apology insincere.
"I have read the statement of Bill Peters, which I found to be misleading, insincere and concerning. I have accepted an invitation from the NHL to meet and discuss this situation. Out of respect for that process I will not respond publicly to the statement or discuss the racism and discrimination that I have endured until after my meeting," Aliu said in his statement.
Should Peters be fired, the chances that he coaches in the NHL again are likely slim to none.
Source: Sportsnet
