Despite a B.C. Supreme Court judge temporarily allowing them to continue coaching, Nanaimo ClippersB次元官网网址� bench bosses are sidelined as the B.C. Hockey League investigates whether they violated conduct rules.
In a social media post Friday, Feb. 11, owner Wes Mussio announced that Darren Naylor and Colin Birkas, respective head and associate coach, have been placed on temporary leave to allow for the B次元官网网址淏CHL to complete their internal investigation processB次元官网网址� so that there wonB次元官网网址檛 be any B次元官网网址渦nnecessary distractions to the players during the stretch drive of the season.B次元官网网址�
According to court documents, the league notified the junior A hockey team on Feb. 7 that Naylor and Birkas were suspended indefinitely, with no B次元官网网址渁dvance notice.B次元官网网址� After the team filed an application, Judge Jasmin Ahmad granted an injunction Feb. 10, preventing the league from suspending the two until Feb. 18, with an allowance to apply for an extension.
The Clippers were first notified of leagueB次元官网网址檚 investigation on Oct. 8, the first game of the regular season, court documents said. In turn, the Clippers conducted their own investigation, which found Naylor and Birkas had done nothing wrong, and the findings were forwarded to the league.
The exact nature of the reasons for the suspensions were not specified in court filings, but they did state the BCHL told the team that after B次元官网网址渃omplainantsB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渁dditional witnessesB次元官网网址� were interviewed, B次元官网网址渢here are credible allegations that you breached the BCHLB次元官网网址檚 code of conduct. These allegations include conduct that related to player safety and well-being.B次元官网网址�
In an e-mailed statement to the B次元官网网址 Bulletin, the BCHL confirmed it was investigating Naylor and Birkas B次元官网网址渇or alleged code of conduct breaches.B次元官网网址�
This week, the BCHL placed the coaches on temporary administrative leave pending the conclusion of the investigation. The administrative leaves were precautionary and procedural as no determinations have been made at this time, the BCHL said.
The BCHL said the team applied for the court injunction without notification and the league will make an application B次元官网网址渢o have the order set aside.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淎s the investigation is ongoing, and as the allegations against the coaches have not been proven, the BCHL will not be commenting further at this time,B次元官网网址� the statement read.
The team currently stands second in the Coastal division, and sixth in the BCHL overall, with a record of 24-13-1-1.
B次元官网网址� files from Greg Sakaki
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