Coach handed historic suspension for using homophobic slur with referee

This just in, the AHL has suspended Chicago Wolves for 10 games after reportedly uttering a homophobic slur at an official this past weekend.

From the AHL:

And some context from NHL insider Frank Seravalli:

From the AHL's official press release announcement:

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. … The American Hockey League today announced that Chicago Wolves head coach Bob Nardella has been suspended for 10 games as a consequence of his actions during a game at Texas on Dec. 9.

Nardella was assessed a game misconduct for abuse of officials at 8:48 of the third period after using homophobic language.

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; he will be eligible to return to the Wolves bench on Jan. 6.

In addition, the American Hockey League’s Player Safety Committee has announced that Chicago Wolves forward Dominic Franco has been suspended for one game as a consequence of his actions in a game at Texas on Dec. 9.

Franco received an automatic one-game suspension under the provisions of AHL Rule 23.4 for accumulating his second game misconduct in the “abuse of officials” category this season. He will miss Chicago’s game tonight (Dec. 12) at Iowa.

The 55 year old Nardella was named the Wolves' head coach this past offseason. He was previously an assistant coach with the team under Ryan Warsofsky since 2017. Prior to that, Nardella played parts of nine seasons with the Wolves winning the Calder Cup in 2002 and the IHL's Turner Cup in 1998 and 2000.

No word on what exactly Nardella said to the offended official, but I think we can all use our imagination.

The fact is that that the world, and in turn the hockey world, has changed a lot in recent years. What was once a common insult uttered at hockey games all over the world is now an insensitive and, frankly, stupid insult in 2023. Hopefully Nardella's stiff suspension serves as a warning to all hockey players everywhere that it's time to move on from such homophobic language.