Wenatchee Wild terminate Kevin Constantine’s contract following indefinite WHL suspension

The Wenatchee Wild have officially terminated Kevin Constantine’s contract following yesterday’s indefinite suspension by the WHL.

Wenatchee Wild announce Kevin Constantine’s contract has been terminated following yesterday’s indefinite suspension by @TheWHL. https://t.co/wU3sZIoFLz

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) October 6, 2023

The Western Hockey League suspended Constantine after an independent investigation found he made derogatory comments of a discriminatory nature that directly violated the WHL Standard of Conduct policies.

The former Wild head coach was initially suspended on September 24, pending the independent investigation.

Listed below is the full statement from the Wild organization that was released Thursday evening:

“Following the conclusion of an independent investigation into a violation of Western Hockey League Standard of Conduct policies, the Wenatchee Wild have announced the termination of head coach Kevin Constantine’s contract with the club, effective immediately.

Associate head coach Chris Clark and assistant coach Andrew Sarauer will maintain coaching duties for the team until a new head coach is named. The Wenatchee Wild and the Western Hockey League will have no further comment at this time.”

For Constantine to have any opportunity of coaching again in the WHL, he must formally apply for reinstatement to the WHL’s Commissioner, Ron Robison. The league has stated that Constantine won’t be eligible to apply for reinstatement until July 2025 at the very earliest.

“The WHL holds our players and staff to a very high standard of conduct at all times,” WHL Robison said. “We have extensive programming which emphasizes the importance of always treating players and staff in a respectful manner and there is a zero tolerance for any comments of a derogatory nature. Those in leadership capacities in the WHL, in particular our Head Coaches, are expected to set examples for our players and not conduct themselves in a manner that would impact adversely on the team environment or inflict damage on the reputation of the League.”

Constantine was suspended for four games and fined $5,000 during the 2016-17 season while he was the head coach of the WHL’s Everett Silvertips. He forced players to stay in their equipment after a game against the Tri-City Americans through their post-game meal and full bus ride back to Everett.

The 64-year-old previously coached in the NHL from 1993-2002 for the San Jose Sharks, Calgary Flames, Pittsburgh Penguins and New Jersey Devils. Before joining the Wenatchee Wild organization, Constantine coached Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan HC in Austria last season.