Calgary Flames general manager Brad Treliving said Tuesday that there is an ongoing investigation into the alleged use of a racial slur by head coach Bill Peters.
Former NHLer Akim Aliu tweeted Monday that Peters directed the N-word toward him 10 years ago while with the AHL's Rockford IceHogs. Two of Aliu's former teammates who were in the room, Simon Pepin and Peter MacArthur, corroborated his account on Tuesday.
"Throughout the evening last night and into this morning, we were starting an investigation into the incident," Treliving told reporters.
He added: "The purpose of me coming in today is we have not completed that. We are trying to be as transparent as possible and to update you."
Treliving also made it clear that the organization is handling the situation with the utmost care.
"Allegations of this nature we take very, very seriously," Treliving said. "This is a subject matter that has no place in our organization and, so, the magnitude and the serious nature that we take to these allegations is very high."
The GM added that Peters remains the head coach and a decision regarding his future has not yet been made.
"Jeff Ward is running our practice today," he said. "Bill will remain at the hotel. Bill has not been relieved of his duties."
"We hope to have this completed quickly, but it's got to be thorough," he added. "It's got to be thorough and it's got to be done correctly."
Peters was hired by the Flames ahead of the 2018-19 season.
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