A few days after the retirement of the jersey of Willie O’Ree, the first black player to have played in the National Hockey League (NHL), by the Boston Bruins, it is clear that the hockey world still has a long way to go. . The case of Jordan Subban, victim of a hateful gesture on Saturday in the ECHL, is not isolated. Overview of six recent racist events on the hockey planet.
• Read also: Racist gesture against Jordan Subban: Jacob Panetta suspended indefinitely
A fan throws a banana at Wayne Simmonds
During an exhibition game in London, Ontario in September 2011, forward Wayne Simmonds, at the time with the Philadelphia Flyers, was thrown a banana in a shootout against the Red Wings from Detroit. The fan at fault, Chris Moorhouse, admitted his wrongdoing and had to pay a fine of $200.
Bill Peters uses the n-word
In 2019, the abusive behavior of several NHL head coaches, including Mike Babcock, was denounced by former players. Albertan Bill Peters, then manager of the Calgary Flames, was no exception. Allegations by Nigerian-born player Akim Aliu, who accused him of having used the “n” word several times against him, lead to his resignation.
Brandon Manning pays the price
Brandon Manning’s North American career has been littered with escapades. After intentionally injuring Connor McDavid, the defender was suspended for five games by the American Hockey League (AHL) for uttering a racist insult against Montrealer Bokondji Imama. In their first confrontation after this incident, the two players drop the gloves, and Imama serves him a solid correction.
A derisory sanction in Ukraine
The Ukrainian Hockey League drew attention for the wrong reasons at the end of September 2021. During a skirmish, Ukrainian striker Andrei Deniskin taunts African American defender Jalen Smereck pretending to peel a banana, gesture which does not escape the cameras. Deniskin is only suspended for 13 games for his gesture, a decision denounced by the International Ice Hockey Federation, as well as by the general manager of the Ukrainian circuit … who is fired a few days later. Smereck, meanwhile, later left the league to join Germany’s top division Professional Ice Hockey League.
Hockey PEI singled out
During a Junior B game in Prince Edward Island, a Kensington Vipers player attacks an Asian teammate of Sherwood Metros Keegan Mitchell. In response, Mitchell strikes the racist player with a stick. Initially, the two players were suspended for two games, a sanction denounced on social networks by Mitchell. Hockey PEI finally did an about-face to extend the Vipers player’s suspension to five games.
Imama still targeted
On January 12, Imama was again targeted by racist gestures during an AHL game between the Tucson Roadrunners and the San Jose Barracuda. The person responsible, Czech striker Krystof Hrabik, has been suspended for 30 games by the league.
SEE ALSO