Maple Leafs captain John Tavares addresses ongoing racism in hockey
Toronto Maple Leafs captain John Tavares kicked off his media availability Monday by addressing recent instances of racial injustice that have rocked the hockey world.
"I think it's really important to acknowledge [the issues] that have taken place over the last little while," Tavares said prior to taking questions in Monday's meeting via Zoom. "We have a lot of work to do."
Two minor league hockey players were suspended in the last week for racist taunts made toward Black players.
"It's something we've addressed as a team as well," Tavares said. "It's something I've ever had to deal with or have really, truly understood. So [I am] taking the time to understand what it is like to be in someone else's shoes."
Krystof Hrabik of the San Jose Barracuda, the Sharks' minor-league affiliate, was suspended 30 games for making a racist gesture toward Tuscon Roadrunners forward Boko Imama. Then, ECHL defenseman Jacob Panetta was suspended indefinitely over the weekend after making racist gestures at South Carolina Stingrays blue-liner Jordan Subban.
Subban's older brother, NHL defenseman P.K. Subban, addressed the incident in his Sunday evening availability.
"I didn't sleep much," he said, via ESPN. "Sheer disappointment. It's distasteful. There is no room for it in our game. I'm embarrassed because our game is better than this."
Both instances serve as clear examples the NHL and its minor league affiliates still have a lot of work to do to make the game more inclusive for everyone involved.
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