The WHL has suspended Wenatchee Wild head coach Kevin Constantine and opened an independent investigation after receiving a complaint about his conduct.
In a statement, the WHL said “Constantine is not permitted to have any contact with any member of the organization, including players, while the matter is being investigated.”
“Earlier today, Wenatchee Wild management and the WHL Security Network met with the players to address the situation and offer support,” the statement added. “The WHL will take all necessary steps to protect the player experience and ensure strict compliance with WHL Regulations and Policies.”
The Wild hired Constantine in July after the Winnipeg Ice were sold and relocated to Wenatchee, Wash., earlier this summer.
“We could not be more excited to have Kevin Constantine leading us on the ice and committed to the Wenatchee Wild for the next four years,” said Wenatchee general manager Bliss Littler in a statement at the time of the hire. “Kevin has been a proven winner at every level he has coached, and his winning record in the NHL and WHL as a head coach is very impressive. Kevin is looked at as one of the great teachers in the game, both on the ice and off the ice in developing young men. One current NHL coach told me he feels we are getting the best version of Kevin Constantine. As the Wild move on to our next chapter in the WHL, we feel Kevin is the perfect fit for our players and our organization.”
Constantine has previously been suspended by the WHL. In 2006 — while head coach of the Everett Silvertips — Constantine was suspended four games and fined $5,000 for what the league deemed “inappropriate” behaviour. According to The Seattle Times, that incident saw Constantine force his players to eat their post-game meal and ride the team bus in their equipment after a 5-0 exhibition loss to the Tri-City Americans.
“It was inappropriate and there are better ways to get the message across,” Constantine told The Times at the time.
The WHL didn’t disclose any details about its current investigation — which is being conducted by the independent Player Advisory Council — but said the report into his conduct came Sunday night. The Wild last played Saturday, a 3-2 loss to the Seattle Thunderbirds, and have a 1-1-0 record this season.
Constantine has more than 30 years of coaching experience at all levels, including past stints in the NHL as head coach of the San Jose Sharks, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils.
