NHL notebook: Aliu optimistic change is coming
Former NHL forward Akim Aliu expects “big change” in the league after a meeting with the league’s top two executives on Tuesday.
Aliu met with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly in Toronto following his allegation that former Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters used a racist slur several times during the 2009-10 season while the two were with the Chicago Blackhawks’ top minor league affiliate in Rockford, Ill.
Aliu’s statement started a Flames investigation that ended with Peters resigning last Friday. Peters apologized to the Flames and general manager Brad Treliving for using “offensive language” in Rockford two days before his resignation.
The NHL has said it is continuing to review the matter.
“It’s been a tough week,” the Nigeria-born Aliu told reporters. “We had some great discussion with Gary and Bill, who couldn’t have been kinder and (more) receptive to the message we’re trying to bring.
“I think there’s some big change coming and it’s long overdue. I’m excited to see it come to fruition.”
The league said it will have no further comment until after the NHL’s board of governors meeting next week in Pebble Beach, Calif.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH:
Ottawa Senators defenceman Mark Borowiecki fights crime on his days off from the rink.
Vancouver Police have confirmed that the 30-year-old Borowiecki halted an attempted robbery on Sunday in the city while he was out for a walk.
Borowiecki witnessed an unidentified person breaking into a parked car. He confronted the individual before wrestling away the stolen property from the alleged thief. The property was returned to its owners, police said, but the thief got away.
“Honestly, I don’t think I went above or beyond or anything,” Borowiecki said. “It was the right thing to do at the time. I’m happy I was there.”
IT’S OFFICIAL: Matt Stajan has retired from pro hockey after 14 seasons in the NHL and another in Europe. The 35-year-old native of Mississauga had 413 points (146 goals, 267 assists) in 1,003 career NHL games with the Toronto Maple Leafs and Calgary Flames.