Home NEWS NHL commissioner speaks at Board of Governors meeting following allegations against coaches | CBC Sports

NHL commissioner speaks at Board of Governors meeting following allegations against coaches | CBC Sports

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NHL commissioner speaks at Board of Governors meeting following allegations against coaches | - Sports

Gary Bettman addressed a potential new code-of-conduct policy for the league on Monday. At the NHL Board of Governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif., he spoke publicly for the first time since various allegations surfaced against coaches.Gary Bettman spoke publicly for the first time since various allegations surfaced against coaches. (Bruce Bennett/Getty Images )NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman said Monday that the league will work swiftly to make changes to better deal with personnel conduct issues in the wake of incidents that surfaced in recent weeks. “Inclusion and diversity are not simply buzz words. They are foundational principles of the NHL,” Bettman said. “Our message is unequivocal: We will not tolerate abusive behaviour of any kind.”Bettman’s comments were his first publicly since former NHL player Akim Aliu alleged that former Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters previously directed racial slurs toward him while in the minor leagues a decade ago. Peters, who has also been accused of physical abuse while coaching Carolina, resigned following the accusations by Aliu. Soon after Peters resigned, the Chicago Blackhawks put assistant coach Marc Crawford on leave while the team investigates allegations of physical abuse made against him by two other former players. WATCH | Bettman discusses Peters incident: The NHL commissioner discussed the league’s plans to combat inappropriate conduct by team officials. 1:00 While Bettman said that the NHL is conducting its own review of the Peters-Aliu situation, the commissioner made it clear that there will be zero tolerance from the league moving forward. “We don’t like surprises,” Bettman said. “The Bill Peters situation was a complete surprise.  “Going forward, our clubs are on notice that if they become aware of an incident of conduct involving NHL personnel on or off the ice that is clearly inappropriate, unlawful or demonstrably abusive, or that may violate the league’s policies involving NHL Club personnel, we at the league office — Bill Daly or me — must be immediately advised. “There will be zero tolerance for any failure to notify us and in the event of such failure, the club and individuals involved can expect severe discipline.” pic.twitter.com/CDKi4YGzWD—@Dreamer_Aliu78 To that end, Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly told the Board of Governors about a multi-point plan designed to curb any further issues while allowing coaches to still do their job. “Professionalism and respect have been important to this league but it is now a particularly important time to discuss it because everyone is entitled to a respectful workplace,” Bettman said. WATCH: Akim Aliu sees big changes coming to NHL Former NHL forward Akim Aliu issues brief statement after holding a meeting with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly. 0:35 Included in the proposed plan: Teams will be required to immediately report any incidents of inappropriate behaviour by club personnel that has been brought to their attention. Failure to do so will result in “severe discipline,” according to Bettman. Swift and severe punishment for those involved in any future or past incidents that are brought to the NHL’s attention. A mandatory annual counselling program that all NHL coaches, assistant coaches, minor league coaches, general managers and assistant general managers must attend. The program, which will be created by professionals in the field outside of the NHL, will focus on consciousness-raising, education and training on diversity and inclusion. The players association and coaches association will be consulted in the formation of the program as well. The formation of a disciplinary counsel that will be run under the direction of NHL executive vice-president Kim Davis. Bettman also spoke about the possibility of creating a hotline for people to call to report incidents of abuse, racism or other things that might fall into a ‘grey area’ as Bettman referred to it. WATCH | Bettman discusses implementation of incident-reporting hotline: The NHL commissioner outlined the league’s new policy for mandatory reporting incidents of abuse on Monday. 1:11 “We understand the critical importance that no one is retaliated against for raising a concern or participating in an investigation. I guarantee we will take all reports seriously and follow up,” Bettman said. Bettman said he spoke with the Board of Governors regarding the code of conduct plan and received full support.

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