Speaking to reporters today at a press conference, held at approximately 12:35pm, Eastern time, Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving announced that this morning he “received a letter of resignation from [head coach] Bill Peters,” which he accepted.
Treliving gave a relatively detailed timeline of the investigation, making sure to note that though some criticized him for the lack of speed, he felt that a thorough investigation trumped speed.
On the 25th, Treliving was made aware of Akim Aliu's tweet, alleging racist behavior by Peters ten years ago, when playing for him at the Rockford Ice Hogs, the Chicago Blackhawks AHL affiliate. Treliving met with the media after the game with Pittsburgh and then proceeded to contact Aliu as the investigation began in earnest.
On the flight from Pittsburgh to Buffalo, Treliving spoke to Peters informing him of the situation, then spoke with his staff and planned the rest of the investigation, which would include a thorough review and contacts with any possible parties involved, dealing with the team (including finding out if Peters had said or done anything improper during his stay in Calgary) and keeping the media informed. Later that evening he informed Peters that Geoff Ward would be running the team practice the next morning.
On the 26th, Treliving said that multiple members of the Chicago Blackhawks and the Rockford Ice Hogs organizations were contacted for corroboration of Aliu's account. Treliving said that the NHL was in constant communication during the investigation.
The next day he was made aware of the allegations of physical abuse brought by a former Carolina player Michal Jordan, who tweeted that Peters physically assaulted him on the bench and had done so to other players. Jordan played for two years for Peters during his four-year Carolina stint. This led Treliving to contact the Hurricanes organization, former players and coaches for corroboration. Jordan was contacted as well.
On the 28th, Treliving put together all the information gathered, communicating his findings to the organization and the NHL. He followed up on any leads which he may have missed in the previous two days.
This morning, he received Peters' resignation letter and stated that Peters was no longer part of the Flames organization and they will be moving forward with Geoff Ward as the interim coach.
“The subject matter is difficult and hard,” said Treliving during the question portion of the press conference, “and it does not, in any manner reflect the core values of the Calgary Flames.”
The status of the investigation is that of completion, the matter is closed and Treliving plans on turning over all the information to the league.
Treliving stressed that the organization did its due diligence, thoroughly vetting Peters before he was hired, but acknowledged that there are “lessons to be learned here” about the vetting process.
Asked about changes to hockey culture going forward, Treliving pointed out that in the ten years since the Aliu incident, “We all evolve. From our standpoint, we want people to feel safe and secure in their environment.” He believes that the Flames and other NHL franchises should have mechanisms in place by now for players to voice any future concerns about similar incidents.
Treliving said that the investigation was one where he was “flying without a compass” and called it “the most difficult thing in my career.”
Source: Sportsnet.ca, Calgary Flames
