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Avs defenseman Ian Cole supports Akim Aliu, a former AHL teammate, but never witnessed racist comments toward him

Avalanche defenseman Ian Cole was teammates with former Nigerian-born forward Akim Aliu, who has accused Calgary Flames coach Bill Peters of using racial remarks towards him when Peters coached Aliu for the Rockford Ice Dogs of the American Hockey League from 2008-10.

Avs coach Jared Bednar coached Aliu for the AHL’s Peoria Rivermen in 2010-11, the same season Cole was a 21-year-old defenseman. Aliu was also 21 at the time, within two years of his stint with Peters at Rockford.

“Really nice kid, good dude, and seems like an honest and trustworthy person,” Cole said of Aliu after Wednesday’s morning skate at the Pepsi Center.