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The surprise firing of Ottawa Senators chief executive officer Jim Little followed an investigation by the NHL franchise that uncovered several allegations of harsh or abusive behaviour, including public claims of domestic abuse from his former wife, the team said.

Little, through his lawyer, disputed this.

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Little’s dismissal on Wednesday came less than two months after he was hired and as he was cementing his role as the public face of the struggling hockey team.

In a statement Wednesday about his dismissal, Little, 55, said he was fired because of his intemperate language in a heated discussion with team owner Eugene Melnyk on Feb. 14.

While Little contends he was essentially fired for angrily swearing at Melynk — which generated frustrated amusement among many Senators fans who often blame Melnyk for the team’s rocky performance — the Senators said it was not such a shallow decision.