Akim Aliu suspected something was up last week when a current NHL coach contacted him hoping to broker an apology between him and Bill Peters.
Aliu’s suspicion became reality on Wednesday, when the WHL’s Lethbridge Hurricanes named Peters as the team’s new head coach.
Peters had resigned as head coach of the Calgary Flames in November 2019 following Aliu’s disclosure that he had been the target of racist abuse by Peters.
The incident occurred when Peters was Aliu’s head coach with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League during the 2009-10 season.
“I find that the approach was not very sincere and I had confirmation of that today,” said Aliu, reached by telephone by La Presse Canadienne. The incident took place 13 years ago, it became public knowledge four years ago. And now that he’s got a new job, there’s PR motivation, he wants to contact me.
“I knew from day one at Rockford what kind of person he was. And I don’t say that lightly without knowing that sometimes a player doesn’t get along with his coach. I honestly don’t think he’s a very good person. »
On November 25, 2019, Aliu revealed that he had been the target of a racial slur from Peters and how the coach had taken advantage of his influence to damage his career. The next day, a former Carolina Hurricanes player, Michal Jordan, alleged that Peters kicked him and punched another player during a game.
Both charges had forced Peters to resign from his job with the Flames.
Aliu said that other than the NHL coach, whose identity he did not reveal, no one at the Lethbridge Hurricanes or in the WHL contacted him or Jordan during the hiring process.
“I think the WHL and the Hurricanes should have spoken to Michal Jordan and I about the victims of Peters,” Aliu said. I can’t believe we’d rather take the word of a racist and a person who abused people and accept everything when he’s going to tell you he’s changed without even talking to those affected. by his behavior. »
In a statement, the WHL said Peters had completed racism training and a coaching certification program from Shades of Humanity Consulting, a national agency focused on diversity, equity and inclusion. WHL Commissioner Ron Robison said he was pleased with the steps Peters has taken to return to coaching in the WHL.
“After conducting a thorough review and discussion with representatives from Shades of Humanity, and receiving proof of Bill’s commitment to continue his journey of racism, personal development and redemption, the WHL is satisfied and believes that Bill is ready to start coaching again,” Robison said.
Peters led the Yekaterinburg Avtomobilist of the Continental Hockey League (KHL) from April 2020 to November 2021.
He claimed in a statement released by the WHL that he has changed a lot since leaving the Flames in 2019.
“Over the past few years, I’ve worked to understand my racist thoughts and actions,” Peters said. I have learned a lot during this educational journey and I believe I am ready to start coaching again. »
Peters, 58, coached the Carolina Hurricanes and Flames from 2014-19. He was an assistant coach with the Detroit Red Wings from 2011-14. Team Canada at the World Championship twice, and once as an assistant, winning twice gold (2015 and 2016) and once silver (2017).
Aliu also claims that Peters wrote a letter to the management of the Chicago Blackhawks – the club affiliated with the IceHogs – at the time, painting a less than glowing portrait of him. He also noted that five members of the then-Blackhawks management went on to become general managers in the NHL, essentially ruining his reputation across the league.
