Chicago Wolves head coach Bob Nardella has been suspended ten games by the American Hockey League for using homophobic language towards an official.
The offense allegedly came in the Wolves 8-5 loss to the Texas Stars on December 9. A total of 68 penalty minutes were issued in the game, 49 of them coming against the Wolves.
The penalty that sparked Nardella’s ire came with 11:12 remaining in the third period, with Chicago trailing 6-5. Wolves center Kyle Marino was assessed a double-minor for high-sticking. Nardella voiced his frustration with the call, eventually picking up a bench minor and a game misconduct for abuse of officials.
Nardella released a statement addressing the claims:
“I firmly deny that I made a homophobic remark during the game last Saturday, December 9. I want to state clearly that I condemn any form of homophobic language or conduct. I am a passionate and emotional coach who stands behind my organization when I feel they are wronged. I accept that I lost my temper, and I was wrong to do that.”
“I have tremendous respect for the officials and the work they do, and for the league and those involved. I regret that I did lose my temper and that is not how a coach should act. But I would like to set the record straight that I did not say what I am accused of saying.”
Officials for the game were referees Austin O’Rourke and Jake Kamrass with linesmen Michael Miggans and Aaron Schacht.
The AHL has not provided additional detail about what was said. The league did release a statement regarding Nardella’s suspension:
“The American Hockey League is committed to building a culture that is safe, inclusive and free from abuse, harassment and all forms of unethical behavior or misconduct. During the suspension, Nardella will be permitted to participate in team practices on non-game days.”
Nardella is in his first season as the Wolves’ head coach, after spending six seasons with the club as an assistant coach. He also spent eight seasons on the ice with the Wolves in both the IHL and AHL, second all-time with 476 games played for the team. He is eligible to return to the Chicago bench on January 6.
The Chicago Wolves acknowledged their bench boss’s ban, also condemning the comments Nardella was alleged to have made.
“The Chicago Wolves do not tolerate derogatory language of any kind on and off the ice.”
Chicago’s head coach wasn’t the only Wolf to run afoul of the officials. Chicago Wolves forward Dominic Franco also picked up a game misconduct for abuse of officials as the final buzzer sounded. As this is Franco’s second abuse of officials penalty this season, he’s received an automatic one-game suspension.
