Zach Duncan

Times Record News

Wildcats owner Roy Davoult confirmed Tuesday that first-year head coach Tony Curtale has been suspended indefinitely from the team.

Assistant coach Josh Nelson has been elevated to head coach for this weekend’s three-game homestand against Topeka while Davoult evaluates the tenuous situation.

Davoult said there wasn’t just one incident that led to Curtale’s suspension. But remarks made to officials and a player after Saturday’s overtime win appeared to have dictated the move.

“We worked really hard to create a culture here, and we’re not going to go back on that culture,” Davoult said. “I believe we need to respect officials, whether they do a good job or not. I believe we respect players’ rights, the fans and the community.

“I need to step back from this, talk to some people and make a decision.”

Davoult said he told Curtale he was suspended indefinitely on Monday. Curtale, who has led Wichita Falls to a 9-5-2 record in his first couple months on the job, is the NAHL’s all-time winningest coach.

Curtale responded later Tuesday, denying Davoult’s claim there was more than one incident for the reason why he was suspended and adding no prior meetings before Monday had been held in regards to his behavior.

According to Times Record News freelancer Donnie Hammonds, who has helped cover the team for more than a decade, Curtale came off the ice visibly upset and had words with officials after the 4-3 overtime win.

He then noticed a group of Wildcats kneeling in prayer on the ice and had a brief conversation with a player, who wasn’t dressed that night and standing near Curtale just outside the rink.

Curtlale pulled the player aside and told him to get the others off the ice. He then told Hammonds, “No one else in the league does that, and we’re not going to do that either.”

Hammonds said the comments were made within earshot of multiple people. Davoult said he began getting phone calls from people informing him of the incident.

Curtale said he had a reason for making that statement, and the 54-year-old Catholic said it wasn’t to deny players their religious freedom. Instead, he said he wanted everyone on the team to feel comfortable, regardless of their religious preferences.

Curtale said after Friday’s win was the first time he noticed his players praying on the ice after the game. In fact, he said two different people came up to him and mentioned it, asking why the whole team wasn’t involved.

“I don’t want to single anybody out, especially young guys. I’m trying to protect them as much as possible,” Curtale said. “It puts guys in a bad spot and opens them up to things.

“I told them to do it in the locker room, not in front of people.”

Curtale was a late hire after John LaFontaine abruptly left for the USHL’s Muskegon Lumberjacks in July. LaFontaine coached the Wildcats to their two best records in franchise history, including a trip to the Robertson Cup championship game in May.

“John was great when he was here,” Davoult said. “I want to win this year, but I want to win with values.”

Nelson joined LaFontaine as an assistant last season. The 27-year-old played college hockey at Minnesota State-Mankato and coached at Shattuck-Saint Mary's before joining the Wildcats.

Nelson will become only the second interim coach in the franchise’s history. John Bowkus was relieved of his duties in January 2010, leaving assistant Mike Flanagan to coach the Wildcats in the last 20 games.