Former Controversial Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Marc Crawford Resigns Amid Mental Health Struggles
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Photo credit: The Province
Former Vancouver Canucks head coach Marc Crawford, who currently coaches overseas for the ZSC Lions in Switzerland, has decided to step away from the game of hockey amid struggles with his mental health.
Crawford was never one to be far from controversy, where many ex-NHLers such as Brent Sopel and Sean Avery have claimed the coach of physical and verbal abuse.
Even his time in Switzerland has not been smooth sailing as just last season found himself at the center of negative headlines for directing homophobic remarks toward an official.
The whole incident was caught on Television.
Crawford began screaming at Finnish referee Mikko Kaukokari to check the clock as his ZSC Lions trailed by a goal. His rant quickly turned homophobic when
he called Kaukokari a slur.
he called Kaukokari a slur.
Marc Crawford Quits Coaching Job and opens up about mental health
No doubt a successful coach, Crawford has decided to step away from the game of hockey as he opens up about struggles with his mental health.
«For the last several months, I have been investing in intensive therapy with the hope of understanding the depths of my own mental health. This process has proven to be both challenging and revealing to me as a coach, a husband, a father, and an expecting grandfather, and, finally, as a person,» said Crawford, who thanked the organization for its «humanity and understanding.»
He said that with everything that has gone on in his life and as a coach, if he cannot be 100% committed to the team, then he can no longer see himself filling the role of the ZSC's Lions coach.
«I have always expected that the players of ZSC give 100% effort to the team, and I now realize that because I am not able to give the same commitment, effort, and focus, I must step away and allow this talented group to move forward with someone who can give the effort this team deserves.»
A Stanley Cup winner with the Colorado Avalanche, Marc Crawford served as the Vancouver Canucks head coach for 7 seasons after taking over for Mike Keenan.
Coaching between 1998-99 to 2005-06, he ranks second all-time in Canucks coaching wins with 246, only trailing Alain Vigneault who holds 313 wins.
Previously on CanucksDaily
| POLL | ||
DECEMBRE 30 | 402 ANSWERS Former Controversial Vancouver Canucks Head Coach Marc Crawford Resigns Amid Mental Health Struggles Do you think Marc Crawford was a good head coach for the Vancouver Canucks? | ||
| Yes | 312 | 77.6 % |
| No | 90 | 22.4 % |
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