Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters accused of using racial slurs

During the Penguins’ 3-2 overtime win against the Calgary Flames at PPG Paints Arena on Monday night, Flames coach Bill Peters was accused of using racial slurs by former NHL forward Akim Aliu.

Aliu, a native of Nigeria who grew up in Ukraine and Canada, wrote on Twitter that Peters directed slurs at him multiple times during the 2009-10 season as a member of the Rockford IceHogs, the AHL affiliate of the Chicago Blackhawks. Aliu was in his first professional season at that time.

“Not very surprising the things we’re hearing about Babcock,” Aliu wrote. “Apple doesn’t fall far from the Tree, same sort of deal with his protege in YYC. Dropped the N bomb several times towards me in the dressing room in my rookie year because he didn’t like my choice of music.”

Not very surprising the things we’re hearing about Babcock. Apple doesn’t fall far from the Tree, same sort of deal with his protege in YYC. Dropped the N bomb several times towards me in the dressing room in my rookie year because he didn’t like my choice of music. First one to

— Akim Aliu (@Dreamer_Aliu78) November 26, 2019

admit I rebelled against him. Wouldn’t you? And instead of remedying the situation, he wrote a letter to John McDonough and Stan Bowman to have me sent down to the ECHL. 20 year old on pace for 20 goals in his first pro year with zero PP/PK time was off to a great start in his

— Akim Aliu (@Dreamer_Aliu78) November 26, 2019

Pro career

— Akim Aliu (@Dreamer_Aliu78) November 26, 2019

The Flames did not make Peters available to speak with reporters following the game. General manager Brad Treliving did address the media, however.

“During tonight’s game, I was made aware of a tweet from former player Akim Aliu and obviously we are playing so I haven’t had a chance to sit down with Bill or our people internally to talk about this and get to the bottom of it,” Treliving said. “I would say we take these matters, very, very seriously. And so until such time as we have a chance to speak about it internally, we obviously wanted to address you people (media), we’re aware of it.

“Like I said, I haven’t had a chance to talk to Bill. I will be doing that and until such time we won’t have any further comment about it, but we will address it and get back to you people once we have a chance to speak internally.”

The Flames also issued a written statement from Treliving.

“Through social media, we became aware of this issue during the game this evening. We take these matters very seriously. We want to complete a full and proper investigation before we provide any further comments on the matter.”

A member of the Flames for a total of seven games spread across the 2011-12 and 2012-13 season, several years before Peters was hired by Calgary, Aliu, 30, last played professional hockey in 2018-19 with the Orlando SolarBears of the ECHL.

Peters previously coached the Carolina Hurricanes and was a candidate for the Penguins’ vacant head coaching position during the 2014 offseason.

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