SPRINGFIELD, MASS. —
The American Hockey League has suspended San Jose Barracuda ahead Krystof Hrabik 30 video games for making a “racial gesture” at Tucson Roadrunners left-wing Boko Imama throughout a sport final week.
The league stated in a launch that Hrabik made the gesture at Imama, who’s Black, throughout Tucson’s 4-3 win over San Jose on Jan. 12.
Tuscon is the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s Arizona Coyotes.
Hrabik, who has already served three video games of the suspension, could be eligible to return April 3.
The AHL stated in an announcement that Hrabik could apply for reinstatement after March 12, primarily based on an analysis of his progress within the training and coaching on racism and inclusion administered by the NHL’s Participant Inclusion Committee.
Imama, born in Montreal to folks who immigrated from Democratic Republic of Congo, has been subjected to racist behaviour within the AHL earlier than. Bakersfield Condors defenceman Brandon Manning utilizing a racial slur in an altercation with Imama throughout a Jan. 22, 2020 sport, when Imama was with the Ontario Reign.
Manning was suspended 5 video games for uttering the slur.
The San Jose Barracuda are the AHL-affiliate of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks.
The Sharks and Barracuda launched a joint assertion on the gesture.
“The Barracuda and San Jose Sharks organizations had been appalled to study of this incident,” the groups wrote. “We provide our sincerest apologies to Boko, the Roadrunners group, the AHL, our followers, and the complete hockey group.”
— This report by The Canadian Press was first printed on Jan. 21, 2022.
