Fred Parker, former head coach of the Ravens men’s hockey team who led the newly revived varsity team to three consecutive playoff runs, is suing Carleton for breach in contract and defamation following his dismissal from the university.
On April 30, Carleton fired its coach of the last four seasons, stating in a press release that contract negotiations broke down when Parker refused a multi-year contract.
Parker, however, said he never outright refused a multi-year deal and was “shocked” when he found out that Carleton was firing him.
“I was looking forward to coming back for lots of seasons. I moved my family here from Kitchener, thinking it would be a long-term situation,” Parker said.
With his four-year contract set to expire May 31, 2010, Parker said Carleton encouraged him to participate in the negotiation process for a new contract, but when he suggested a one-year contract, they let him go right away.
“Carleton misunderstood,” Parker said. “I think if you read the mail that I sent when I stated my preferences, I don’t know how they could misunderstand that I was turning down a four-year deal. I never ever said that I didn’t want to be there long term. Ever, ever, ever.”
The lawsuit’s statement of claim says Parker would have accepted a multi-year contract “without question, if had been advised that it was their final offer.”
Carleton filed an intent to defend and was supposed to file its statement of defense by July 26.
As of 4:00 p.m. July 28, Carleton had not filed a statement, and Carleton’s lawyer, Lynn Harnden, could not be reached for comment.
With the deadline passed, Parker can file a “noting of default,” which could render Carleton liable for all allegations. Parker’s lawyer, Bruce Sevigny, said he is giving the university a couple “courtesy” days to file their defence.
Parker said during his time as head coach he was also encouraged to promote a Ravens summer camp for summer 2010, which he said he did under the assumption that he would still be the Ravens’ coach.
Parker said in his statement of claim that “through his recruitment efforts, his work with volunteers and alumni, and through his work with the Junior Ravens and Ravens’ hockey camps, he had clearly communicated . . . his long-term commitment to the men’s hockey program.”
Carleton spokesperson Lin Moody said the hockey camps are still running on campus this summer. The Carleton Athletics website advertises “Ravens Hockey School” at the Carleton Ice House, but not run by the university.
“Parker has rented space from Carleton for this purpose,” Moody said in an email.
Parker confirmed he made an arrangement with Carleton to use the Ravens name for the camps and to employ some of the varsity players as counsellors.
In regards to the defamation allegations, Parker said his reputation has suffered due to the university’s press release following the dismissal.
“In interest of long-term stability for the program and the players, Carleton was looking for a multi-year commitment and he was not comfortable with that,” the press release stated.
Parker said it was “unfair and defamatory for [Carleton] to publicly call into question [his] willingness to make a ‘multi-year commitment.’ "
Parker is seeking $400,000 in damages for breach of contract, $100,000 for defamation in relation to a Carleton press release and $100,000 in punitive damages for Carleton’s “reprehensible conduct.” None of his allegations have been proven in court.
Sevigny said he is asking the court to permit examination for discovery — in order to interview athletic director Jennifer Brenning under oath — prior to mandatory mediation.
“There are so many unanswered questions. We don’t accept for a moment the proportion that this was about Fred’s commitment to the program or willingness to look at a long-term contract,” Sevigny said.
“We’re not clear on real motivation for the fairly abrupt withdrawal from the negotiation progress.”