Hours after Bill Peters resigned as head coach of the Calgary Flames, Hockey Canada released a statement stressing its commitment "to delivering positive hockey experiences to everyone involved in the game."
The governing body of the sport in Canada issued the statement on Friday, following the news that Peters had stepped down from his position with the Flames amid allegations of racial and physical abuse against former players.
Peters held several coaching jobs with Hockey Canada prior to being hired as Calgary's bench boss. The 54-year-old was the head coach of Canada's World Championship teams in 2018 and 2016 and held assistant coaching positions at the 2015 World Championship and 2016 World Cup of Hockey.
MORE: Everything we know about the Bill Peters abuse allegations
In addition, Peters also coached Canada at the youth levels.
"Hockey Canada and its 13 provincial and territorial members want to assure you, the 750,000 players, coaches and officials that make up our membership, the parents and volunteers who keep the game strong in communities across Canada and our millions of fans, that we share your love for hockey and remain committed to delivering positive hockey experiences to everyone involved in the game," the statement read.
Just now:
— Devin Heroux (@Devin_Heroux) November 29, 2019
Hockey Canada issues statement regarding hockey culture and recent events. pic.twitter.com/eY4LVNDy8k
Listed in the statement are 10 ways Hockey Canada says "the hockey experience is better, safer and more inclusive," including the Speak Out anti-bullying initiative, revisions to the player pathway model, and various programs to educate parents and coaches to recognize abuse and foster safer environments for players.
"We embrace the responsibility to oversee Canada’s game and the last few weeks have humbled us," the statement read. "We know we need to continue to improve; this is our commitment to continue to work with all stakeholders to deliver more fun and more positive experiences for everyone in hockey and make all Canadians feel welcome in and around our great game."