It looks like Dwight McMillan and the Weyburn Red Wings are parting on less than ideal terms.
In a statement issued yesterday and posted on the SJHL website, McMillan says the Wings actually terminated his contract and, as per his request, framed it as a resignation.
The team had announced prior to the season that this would be McMillan's last year.
The legendary coach, 69, told Rob Vanstone of the Leader-Post that the wording of the Red Wings' statement led him to speak out.
The statement said that the team "regretfully accepted his decision to retire."
McMillan told Vanstone: "They said 'regretfully,' and that's the wrong word because they actually fired me, so I don't know how it could be 'regretfully.'"
It's one of the worst-kept secrets in the SJHL that relations between McMillan and his executive have been toxic this year.
McMillan took what seems like a parting shot in his statement, naming several past-presidents and saying that they "were true executive leaders and understood what it took for me to coach and be a successful team in Jr. "A" hockey."
McMillan had taken leave from the team to care for his wife, Diane, following hip surgery. However, he said that "had nothing to do with me being fired at this time."
Long-time assistant coach Darcy Pindus will take over the reins of the Red Wings (9-19-0-2) for the rest of the season.
