Wolves coach suspended 10 games by AHL for using homophobic language against official

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. – The American Hockey League has suspended Chicago Wolves head coach Bob Nardella for 10 games for using homophobic language against an official.

Nardella was assessed a game misconduct for abuse of officials at 8:48 of the third period of Chicago’s 8-5 loss at Texas on Saturday.

The AHL said in a release that Nardella will be permitted to participate in team practices on non-game days.

He will be eligible to return to the Wolves bench on Jan. 6.

The AHL also announced that Wolves forward Dominic Franco has been given an automatic one-game suspension for picking up his second game misconduct for abuse of officials of the season.

The Wolves, who do not have an affiliation with an NHL team, were scheduled to visit the Iowa Wild on Tuesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 12, 2023.