Whl Banishes Maxwell From Coaching For 1 Year Ex-Spokane Coach Also Limited With Gm Duties Because Of Fight

Bryan Maxwell, general manager and coach of the Lethbridge Hurricanes, was suspended from coaching for one year for his role in a postgame altercation, the Western Hockey League announced Tuesday.

Maxwell, formerly coach of the Spokane Chiefs, was also assessed a $1,000 fine and will be barred from Hurricanes games until Feb. 1. Maxwell must avoid the Hurricanes’ arena from 1 hour prior to games until 1 hour after.

The league also punished Lethbridge assistant coach Reid Williams, player Mike Josephson and the club.

Williams was suspended from the WHL for the first 36 games of the 1996-97 season. Josephson was suspended for the first five games of next season. The league fined the club $1,000 for improper security at the Sportsplex.

The altercation occurred after visiting Regina beat Lethbridge 6-5 in a March 23 playoff game.

Regina’s winning goal, with 34 seconds left, happened on a 5-3 power play. Referee Brent Reiber called Maxwell for a bench minor just prior to the goal.

Maxwell, Williams and a few players cornered Reiber and linesman Jeff Klick after the game. WHL vice president Rick Doerksen assisted the injured Reiber to the officials room.

Maxwell also faces criminal charges of assault and uttering threats. Williams must face charges of uttering threats.

“The altercation between Mr. Maxwell and the officials was more than just trifling or inadvertent,” said WHL commissioner Dev Dley.