WHL Suspends Wenatchee Wild Coach Pending Investigation

Wenatchee Wild coach Kevin Constantine has been suspended by the WHL pending an investigation into a complaint regarding his conduct.

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The WHL announced Wenatchee Wild coach Kevin Constantine has been suspended "pending an independent investigation into alleged violations of WHL regulations and policies."

Constantine is the Wenatchee Wild’s first coach as a WHL franchise – the club was sold and relocated from Manitoba, where it spent four seasons as the Winnipeg Ice.

"Constantine was suspended on Sunday after the WHL’s independent reporting channel received a complaint regarding his conduct," the league said in a statement. "Constantine is not permitted to have any contact with any member of the organization, including players, while the matter is being investigated."

The WHL said its independent Player Advisory Council opened its investigation on Sunday and will eventually provide a report to league commissioner Ron Robison to determine any further disciplinary action. While the investigation happens, Constantine is not allowed to have any contact with any member of the organization.

"The WHL will take all necessary steps to protect the player experience and ensure strict compliance with WHL regulations and policies," said the league's statement, which also noted the WHL will have another statement when the process ends.

Since 1985, 64-year-old Constantine has served as a head coach in 12 different leagues for 16 different teams leading up to this season, most recently for Fehervar AV19, a Hungary-based team in the Austrian ICE Hockey League.

Constantine last coached in the WHL from 2013 to 2017 for the Everett Silvertips, who he also coached from 2003 to 2007. He was also the bench boss for the NHL’s San Jose Sharks from 1993 to the ’95-96 season, the Pittsburgh Penguins from 1997 to the 1999-2000 campaign, and the New Jersey Devils for part of the 2001-02 year.

Wenatchee, Wash., is located roughly a two-and-a-half- to three-hour drive east of Seattle.