The American Hockey League on Friday suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for 30 games after he made a racist gesture toward Boko Imama of the Tucson Roadrunners in a Jan. 12 game.A source informed ESPN that Hrabik, 22, imitated the movements of a monkey in a taunt that targeted Imama, who is Black. The taunt was identified by gamers on the Roadrunners bench, and Hrabik was confronted on the ice by Tucsons Travis Barron while Imama was held back by a linesman during a stoppage in play.The AHL became aware of the incident on Jan. 13 and began an examination, during which Hrabik was removed from all team activities.Hrabiks suspension includes the three games he missed out on throughout the investigation.” The AHL stands with Boko Imama,” AHL president and CEO Scott Howson said in a declaration. “It is unfair that any gamer should be subjected to comments or gestures based upon their race; they need to be judged just on their capability to carry out as a gamer on the ice, as a colleague in the locker room and as a member of their community.” Hrabik issued a public apology Friday night and stated he had already apologized to Imama.” I am ashamed these dayss occasions and embarrassed by the actions that caused my suspension. I desire everybody to understand that Im really sorry for what has actually taken place and I take full duty for my actions,” Hrabik said.” People ought to understand that I had absolutely no improper intent. The gesture was made in the heat of fight and while I didnt suggest anything racist by what I did, I understand now through my own ignorance how my gesture could be analyzed. I alone are accountable for that, it was dreadful, and I make no excuses. When I found out about Bokos response to the gesture, I was horrified by what I had actually done.” Boko is a gamer I appreciate and I am so sorry for putting him through this situation. I sent out an individual apology to Boko and truly hope that he will forgive me. I also wish to ask forgiveness to the American Hockey League, the San Jose Barracuda, the Tucson Roadrunners, and to my teammates for my unacceptable actions.” As part of the suspension, Hrabik will be given a chance to work with the NHLs Player Inclusion Committee, which is run by NHL executive Kim Davis and co-chaired by New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban and TNT on-air analyst Anson Carter.Hrabik will have the opportunity to take part in education and training on racism and addition. He can use to the AHL for reinstatement after missing 21 games, and a choice will be “based upon an evaluation of his progress in the necessary education and training” with the Player Inclusion Committee.The Barracuda and the San Jose Sharks, their NHL parent group, said sorry to Imama and “the whole hockey community” in a declaration released Friday.” While we support the capability for people to atone and find out from disrespectful events in this context, these actions are in direct opposition to the Barracuda and Sharks organizations values,” the team said.Imama, 25, was drafted 180th overall in 2015 by the Tampa Bay Lightning. The winger spent four years with the Los Angeles Kings organization before signing with the Arizona Coyotes AHL affiliate last summer.This is the 2nd time an AHL player has actually been suspended for a racial taunt directed at Imama. In January 2020, defenseman Brandon Manning of the Bakersfield Condors was suspended five video games for utilizing a racial slur towards Imama.In 2021, Imama spoke about racism in hockey after an occurrence in the Ukrainian Hockey League in which Andrei Deniskin pantomimed consuming a banana and peeling toward Jalen Smereck, who is Black.” I think its simply injuring the sport due to the fact that I believe if it was more diverse, if everybody was more included, I feel like it would touch a bigger audience and it would simply be much better for the sport,” Imama informed the Arizona Republic at the time. “But when things like that take place, its just unfortunate for everyone.”
Source link
The American Hockey League on Friday suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for 30 games after he made a racist gesture towards Boko Imama of the Tucson Roadrunners in a Jan. 12 game.A source informed ESPN that Hrabik, 22, imitated the motions of a monkey in a taunt that targeted Imama, who is Black. The taunt was found by players on the Roadrunners bench, and Hrabik was faced on the ice by Tucsons Travis Barron while Imama was held back by a linesman during a blockage in play.The AHL became mindful of the incident on Jan. 13 and began an examination, throughout which Hrabik was removed from all group activities.Hrabiks suspension consists of the three video games he missed throughout the investigation. He can apply to the AHL for reinstatement after missing 21 games, and a decision will be “based on an assessment of his progress in the required education and training” with the Player Inclusion Committee.The Barracuda and the San Jose Sharks, their NHL parent team, asked forgiveness to Imama and “the entire hockey community” in a declaration released Friday. The winger invested four years with the Los Angeles Kings organization before signing with the Arizona Coyotes AHL affiliate last summer.This is the second time an AHL player has been suspended for a racial taunt directed at Imama.
