Ex-San Jose Sharks coach fired by WHL team for making ‘derogatory comments of a discriminatory nature’

Former San Jose Sharks coach Kevin Constantine was fired as coach of the Wenatchee Wild this week

Former San Jose Sharks coach Kevin Constantine was fired as coach of the Wenatchee Wild this week, just days after the Western Hockey League suspended him indefinitely for making “derogatory comments of a discriminatory nature.”

Constantine, 64, was let go by the Wild on Thursday, just one day after the WHL suspended him.

The major junior team said associate head coach Chris Clark and assistant coach Andrew Sarauer would continue to direct the club while it searches for a new permanent head coach in its first season in Washington state after moving from Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Constantine was suspended on September 24 pending the results of an independent investigation into whether he violated the WHL’s standards of conduct policies. The league stated that he will not be eligible to apply to the commissioner for reinstatement until at least 2025.

“The WHL holds our players and staff to a very high standard of conduct at all times,” WHL Commissioner Ron Robison stated on Wednesday. “We have extensive programming that emphasizes the importance of always treating players and staff with respect, and there is zero tolerance for any derogatory comments.”

“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 coached the Sharks from the beginning of the 1993-1994 season until December 2, 1995, when he was fired by then-general manager Dean Lombardi following a 3-18-4 start.

Constantine was behind the bench for two of the Sharks’ biggest-ever playoff series wins, as the team upset the Detroit Red Wings and Calgary Flames in the first round in 1994 and 1995, respectively.

With the Sharks, Constantine went 55-78-24. He went on to coach the Pittsburgh Penguins and the New Jersey Devils, compiling a 161-150-51-5 record in seven NHL seasons. Last season, Constantine was the head coach of Szekeshfehervar Alba Volan in Austria.