Bruce Cassidy, Bruins players react to NHL’s new Code of Conduct policies, Jim Montgomery’s firing

In the wake of a number of incidents tied into coaching abuse and personnel misconduct over the past couple of weeks, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman announced on Monday a multi-faceted, league-wide plan to address said issues going forward. 

Speaking at the end of the first day of the Board of Governors meeting in Pebble Beach, Calif., Bettman addressed, in particular, the situation out in Calgary, in which the Flames parted ways with head coach Bill Peters after multiple former players accused Peters of using racial slurs and committing physical abuse during various stops of his coaching career.

“Inclusion and diversity are not simply buzzwords, they are foundational principles for the NHL,” Bettman said in a league release. “It’s why we initiated the Declaration of Principles and why we invest so much time and effort, along with so many resources into our Learn to Play and Hockey is For Everyone programs. Our message is unequivocal: We will not tolerate abusive behavior of any kind.”

Akim Aliu, who played for Peters over two seasons in the AHL (Rockford IceHogs), said that his former coach used racial slurs multiple times in Rockford’s locker room after disapproving of the choice of music played within the room. The incident was confirmed later by a pair of Aliu’s Rockford teammates.

Michal Jordan, who was coached by Peters for two seasons in Carolina, accused his coach of physical abuse — both against him and a teammate. Current Hurricanes head coach Rod Brind’Amour, who was an assistant coach on Peters’ staff at the time, backed up Jordan’s claims when speaking to the media back in late November. 

Peters’ is far from the only coach either let go or accused of similar misconduct. Former Maple Leafs coach Mike Babcock has been under fire over the last few weeks for his coaching missteps in both Toronto and Detroit — with former Red Wing Johan Franzen tabbing him as the “the worst person I've ever met” for his repeated verbal attacks. 

Current Chicago Blackhawks assistant coach Marc Crawford has also been placed on leave since Sean Avery accused him of physical abuse while both were with the Kings during the 2006-07 season. 

Amid all these incidents, Bettman unveiled the multiple facets of the league’s plan to curb such behavior going forward, including: 

1. An annual mandatory counseling program

Bettman noted: “In order to expedite a change in culture and make clear the expectations we have for the conduct of coaches and other personnel, we will formulate a mandatory annual program on counseling, consciousness-raising, education and training on diversity and inclusion.“This program will be required for all Head Coaches, Minor League Coaches under contract with NHL teams, Assistant Coaches, General Managers and Assistant General Managers. We will focus the programming on training and other exercises and initiatives to ensure respectful locker rooms, training facilities, games, and all other hockey-related activities; and teach to ensure bystander intervention techniques, anti-harassment, anti-hazing, non-retaliation and anti-bullying best practices.”

2. A multidisciplinary council, led by NHL Executive Vice President Kim Davis, that will suggest initiatives, monitor progress and coordinate efforts with all levels of hockey

3. Harsh punishment for teams and individuals involved in both past and future incidents

Bettman noted: “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, on or off the ice, 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. ... Inappropriate conduct engaged in by club personnel will be disciplined, either by the team, the League or both. While discipline as always must be on a case-by-case basis – it is my intention that it must be severe and appropriate and designed to remedy the situation and ensure that the conduct does not occur again."

4. A new platform, which Bettman tabbed as a hotline, where instances of inappropriate conduct related to the NHL can be reported either anonymously or for attribution for the league to look into.

Less than 24 hours after Bettman announced this plan to put an end to these incidents, the Dallas Stars fired second-year coach Jim Montgomery — with Dallas GM Jim Nill adding in a team release that Montgomery was dismissed “due to unprofessional conduct inconsistent with the core values and beliefs of the Dallas Stars and the National Hockey League." 

Speaking at the Medstar Capitals Iceplex in Arlington, Va. on Tuesday, both Bruce Cassidy and his players gave their thoughts on both the league’s focus on snuffing out these incidents and Montgomery’s dismissal. 

Danton Heinen, who was coached by Montgomery for two seasons at the University of Denver, was surprised by Tuesday’s news, adding that Montgomery always held players accountable, but didn’t witness any incidents that would raise an eyebrow. 

“Yeah, he was hard on guys, but he was fair though,” Heinen said.  “He was a good teacher, he taught me a lot. ... It’s tough to see. I have a good relationship with him. I don't know the whole situation, but it’s sad to see anybody let go. … I can’t really comment other than that on that situation.”

For Cassidy, the league’s new focus on a Code of Conduct stands as a step in the right direction — adding that the Bruins’ coaching staff and organization have already developed a culture that falls in line with the NHL’s vision. 

"The code of conduct, I read through it last night quickly, a little more this morning. I'm on board with it,” Cassidy said. “I feel we've always — the players can only speak to it — we've created a good culture here in terms of safe workplace, appropriate workplace. Listen, as a coach, I feel our staff, we're tough at times, but we're fair. We want to hold them accountable, but not in the manner of what guys have gotten let go for. We're not putting our hands on the players, we're not using racial slurs in the locker room. We're just trying to make them better players and better people, and we feel like treating them like people first is the most important way to go.

"That's how I felt we've handled our locker room, hopefully, the players back that up. I'm on board with it, I'm fine with it. I think coaches have to be a little more respectful from the stories that are coming out, and hopefully, that's what happens."

While Cassidy noted that he’s had coaches over the years that were vocal, such as Brian Kilrea and Darryl Sutter, he added that he was “fortunate” in that he didn’t have to deal with similar scenarios described by players under Peters and others. 

“I enjoyed playing for both of those guys,” Cassidy said of Kilrea and Sutter. “That's years ago, but they never crossed the line. Even though they were vocal and it was prob a different time back then, but that still doesn't make that stuff acceptable and they didn't do it. And I'm actually glad they didn't, looking back now, that they were tough but fair and they taught me how to play the game."