Clippers head coach Colin Birkas (centre) is on temporary leave for the team while an investigation under a Hockey Canada policy is conducted. Bob Beatty (right) and Tyler Gow (left) have assumed control of the team. (Island Images Photography)

By NanaimoNewsNOW

coach out

Clippers coach sidelined pending ‘discipline and complaints policy’ investigation

Mar 17, 2023 | 4:53 PM

NANAIMO — The Clippers will be without their bench boss for a while.

Through a social media post on Friday, March 17, the Nanaimo Clippers announced Colin Birkas has been temporarily suspended from his duties as head coach and general manager of the team.

The suspension is a result of what the team calls “a third-party investigation into complaints filed under Hockey Canada’s discipline and complaints policy.”

It is not clear what the allegations against Birkas are, or how long he is expected to be out, however, the statement mentioned Birkas denies any wrongdoing.

Birkas was due to lead the Clippers against the BCHL-leading Penticton Vees on Friday, but control of the team will now fall to associate coach Bob Beatty and assistant coach Tyler Gow.

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“The Clippers are cooperating with the investigation and working diligently to help resolve this matter expeditiously,” the team’s statement read.

It’s the second consecutive season the Clippers have had to make a coaching change as a result of an investigation into alleged conduct.

In February 2022, then-head coach Darren Naylor was put on leave after alleged breaches of the BCHL’s code of conduct.

Then-owner Wes Mussio successfully lobbied for an injunction against the ban, however, Naylor himself stepped down hours before a game in Powell River the same day.

He never returned to the bench with Birkas guiding the team to the league final months after.

Birkas was initially included in the suspension to Naylor, but was reinstated by the team and league in early March.

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