Lethbridge Hurricanes announce Bill Peters as new head coach

Peters is no stranger to both Lethbridge and the Western Hockey League (WHL). He coached the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns men’s hockey team from 2002 to 2005, and won a Memorial Cup as the head coach of the Spokane Chiefs in 2008.

Peters took that success and experience into professional head coaching positions, including stints in the NHL with the Carolina Hurricanes and the Calgary Flames.

However, on November 22, 2019, Peters resigned from his position with the Flames, after it became public knowledge that he had committed an act of racism against former player Akim Aliu, when both were a part of the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs.

Former Carolina Hurricanes player Michal Jordan has also alleged that Peters kicked him and punched another unnamed player during a game.

Peters has since completed a 12-month program with Shades of Humanity, a national diversity and inclusion consultancy.

He said in his statement to the media on Wednesday, “I want to sincerely apologize for the hurt and disappointment I caused to Akim, the hockey and the racialized community with my hurtful language. My actions were not reflective of the values and knowledge I hold now.”

Peters continued, “I have spent the past four years reflecting on and understanding the profound impact of my inappropriate language and actions. I am committed to making amends and contributing positively to the hockey community I care deeply about.”

Lethbridge Hurricanes General Manager Peter Anholt also spoke to the controversy surrounding Peters. He said he is happy with the progress the team’s new coach has made in educating himself.

Anholt said, “We know that Bill has gone through a personal change over the past number of years and has taken courses. We’re really comfortable and confident, and we just know that the players and everybody [else] is safe.”

He added, “We know we will be watched closely too because of it, and we understand that.”

The WHL said in a statement that Peters will continue to adhere to the policies of the league’s Diversity and Inclusion Policy, and will continue participating in anti-racism coaching, equity training, and further educational initiatives.

Moving forward, Peters will step into the head coaching position for a Hurricanes team that has made the playoffs every season since Kisio took over as coach for the 2015-16 season.

He is looking forward to working with the Hurricanes’ existing coaching staff in order to help the players develop, and help the team continue their recent run of success.

Peters added that getting back to the WHL after many years away from the league will be a big transition, with how much the league and coaching methods have evolved since his Memorial Cup win in 2008.

He said, “When I was last in the league, there was two of us [on a coaching staff] with a part-time goalie coach and a GM. When they talk about the player contract, it’s a standard player contract plus development. We want to develop these guys fully, on and off the ice.”

Peters continued, “I look forward to be able to help people with my experiences and kind of guide in that direction, but I know the organization is in really good shape as far as what they offer.”

Speaking to the on-ice performance of the Hurricanes, Peters highlighted the team’s offensive production as an area of focus for him, particularly the power play. The Hurricanes scored 204 goals last season, the second lowest amount for any team that made the WHL playoffs, only ahead of the Vancouver Giants.

The Hurricanes begin their training camp on Thursday, August 31, and their pre-season schedule will start on Tuesday, September 5 against Medicine Hat.

Tickets for the Hurricanes pre-season games are available at the team office. Single game regular season tickets will go on sale on Tuesday, September 12.

The 2023-2024 regular season will begin on Friday, September 22, when the Hurricanes take on the Swift Current Broncos at the ENMAX Centre.

Read more local sports at Lethbridge News Now.

—

If you have a news tip, question or concern, please email Lethbridge.newsroom@Pattisonmedia.com.

by Christian Oldale

Lethbridge Hurricanes announce Bill Peters as new head coach

What's Happening