CHICAGO _ The Blackhawks aren't talking while they review allegations made against assistant coach Marc Crawford that he was physically abusive toward former player Sean Avery while both were with the Kings.
Crawford, who was placed on leave by the Hawks before Monday night's game against the Blues, isn't available for interviews. But Avery is talking, and he's coming out in support of Crawford.
In a recent interview with the New York Post, Avery said Crawford kicked him so hard in the rear that it left a mark.
On Monday night, Avery shared a video on Twitter in which he said Crawford was his "second-favorite NHL coach" and that he had "every right in the world to kick me in the ass. He should have spanked my ass a little bit more. I deserved it. I loved Crow."
Crawford won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 1996 and also served as head coach of the Canucks, Kings, Stars and Senators over a coaching career that began in 1994 when he was 33.
Two other NHL players beside Avery have shared allegations that Crawford abused them physically.
Avery said Crawford kicked him after taking a penalty for too many men on the ice.
"You know how I stand at the end of the bench? He came down and gave me an ass kick that left a mark," Avery said.
Former Hawk Brent Sopel alleged during a podcast last year that Crawford "kicked me, he choked me, he grabbed the back of my jersey and just pulling it back." Crawford coached Sopel while both were with the Canucks.
Another former NHL player, Patrick O' Sullivan, published a book in 2016 _ "Breaking Away: A Harrowing True Story of Resilience, Courage, and Triumph" _ that alleged Crawford was verbally and physically abusive towards him and others _ allegedly using homophobic slurs _ while they were both with the Kings.
O'Sullivan pledged on Twitter to cooperate with the Blackhawks investigation.
