Controversial coach Bill Peters hired by Lethbridge Hurricanes

A man with a bit of a checkered past has been hired as the new head coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes. Bill Peters resigned from the Calgary Flames in 2019 following an allegation that he uttered racial slurs against former player Akim Aliu. Aliu played for Peters who was the coach of the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs back in the 2009-2010 season. BCN’s Micah Quinn was at the Enmax Centre on Wednesday to chat with Peters and Hurricanes staff about this new chapter.

Bill Peters choked back tears on Wednesday morning as he publicly apologized to Akim Aliu.

The new head coach of the Hurricanes has been marred by controversy during the past few years as it was revealed by Aliu that Peters repeatedly called him the N word over a decade ago.

Peters told members of the media he doesn’t deny making the racial slurs and he wants to make an official apology to Aliu.

Aliu released a statement on his X page earlier on Wednesday regarding the matter. He said in part, “I am curious as to why he wants to apologize now. Most folks don’t know the backstory of all that transpired. After the incident happened, instead of apologizing to me he did everything in his power to blackball me in the game for over a decade. He even went as far as to write a letter to Chicago management at the time stating it was either me or him, further alienating me from all of management.”

Peter Anholt, the general manager of the Hurricanes, says Peters will complete extensive anti-racism training while with the club. 

Ron Robison, the commissioner of the WHL says he knows that some fans will view this as a negative decision for the league, but he reiterated to us that the organization stands by their decision to bring Peters to Lethbridge. 

Despite the controversy surrounding the Hurricanes they will open their 2023 Training Camp on Thursday at the Enmax Centre.