Barry Wright & Heather Wright/The Independent

There will be a major shift in the leadership of the Mooretown Flags; long-time president Bob Barnes, Head Coach Mark Davis, who had been behind the bench in Mooretown since 2015, Assistant Coach Jeff Perry and General Manager John Baker are all leaving the organization.

The departure of the leaders in the organization comes in the wake of an investigation of the leadership of the organization by the Provincial Junior Hockey Association.

In April, The Independent reported at least two unnamed players and one coach filed complaints about the “serious verbal and mental abuse” which Davis allegedly doled out.

The Provincial Junior Hockey League investigated the complaints. It said current and former staff characterized a dressing room environment with “frequent yelling, emotional volatility and staff discomfort entering team spaces.” It also states Perry was present for the outbursts but did nothing about it.

“Players reported repeated instances of degrading language, dismissive communications and public humiliation including name-call, body-shaming comments and remarks that undermined dignity and self-esteem,” said the PJHL’s brief.

The players approached Barnes, the president of the team, before Christmas, and according to the brief from the PJHL, Barnes said the coaches would be “relieved of their duties.” That didn’t happen.

The PJHL Commissioner Terry Whiteside investigated and submitted a written report to the Flags organization in February. Whiteside recommended in the report the team follow through on Barnes’ original commitment to the players and release the coaching staff.

As of April 1, that had not occurred with Davis, a long-time coach in junior hockey for decades in southwestern Ontario, saying he felt the complaint was “dead.”

Whiteside told The Independent at the time the PJHL expected to take “training and education” after the complaint.

This week, the top leadership confirmed they would all be leaving the Mooretown Flags.

Baker first announced he, Davis and Perry were leaving the organization Thursday. He did not specifically mention the PJHL complaint, Baker says “it was time” for the changes.

Baker will stay on as GM in an interim basis until a replacement is found.

Barnes told The Independent Friday he also has stepped down.

Barnes has been involved the Mooretown Flags organization for over 40 years, most as president. During the last club annual general meeting, Barnes said he agreed to continue on for one year. Board minutes recorded he would stay on two more years.

Barnes, 79, adds he and his wife, Maureen, had been talking about retiring for some time since they wanted to be more involved in their grandchildren’s lives. But, he admits, this year has been difficult and the decision to leave was his own.

“A couple of little things happened that turned big. It’s unfortunate,” Barnes said. “But, it’s a good organization. It’s a very good organization. And you look around the league and they’ll tell you the same thing.”

The president credits the volunteers who run the community hockey team for building a good team.

Barnes says he’s distanced himself from the organization in the last month and won’t be attending the annual general meeting.

“I don’t feel like I should go back. But I it’s, it’s not an easy decision, that’s for sure. I’ve enjoyed it for the most part – 99 per cent of it, I’ve enjoyed it’s just this last thing kind of took a toll on us.”

The Independent asked Whiteside if the coaching staff had refused to take the education courses, if the PJHL forced the resignation of the GM and coaches, if the league was running the organization or is involved in the reorganization of the club. Whiteside didn’t answer directly.

“The PJHL continues to work with the Mooretown Flags to ensure that the values of the league are upheld,” he said in an email.

This story was edited for clarity April 24, at 4:19 pm