SPRINGFIELD Mass. – The American hockey League suspended 30 games of the attacker of the San Jose Barracudas, Krystof Hrabik, because of a “racist gesture” against Boko Imama, the left winger of the Tucson Roadrunners, during a game last week.
The league said in a statement that Hrabik had made the move to imama, who is black, during Tucson’s 4-3 win over San Jose on Jan. 12.
Hrabik, who has already suspended three matches, would be eligible to return on April 3.
“I am ashamed of today’s events and ashamed of the actions that led to my suspension. I want everyone to know that I am truly sorry for what happened and that I take full responsibility for my actions,” Hrabik said in a statement. “People should know that I had absolutely no inappropriate intentions. The gesture was made in the fire of the struggle, and although I did not want to say anything racist by what I did, I now realize, through my own ignorance, how my gesture could be interpreted.
“I am solely responsible for this, it was terrible, and I can not find an excuse. When I heard about boko’s reaction to the gesture, I was horrified by what I had done.”
The LAH said in a statement that Hrabik could apply for his reintegration after March 12, based on an assessment of his progress in education and training on racism and inclusion administered by the NHL Player inclusion Committee.
Imama, born in Montreal to parents who immigrated from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, was already a victim of racist behavior in the LAH. Brandon Manning, defending the Bakersfield Condors, used a racial slur during an altercation with Imama during a Jan. on June 22,, when Imama was with the Ontario Reign.
Manning was suspended five games for the offense.
“The AHL stands by the side of Boko Imama,” AHL Commissioner Scott Howson said in a statement. “It is unfair that every player receives comments or gestures depending on his race; he should be judged only on his ability to play as a player on the ice, as a teammate in the locker room and as a member of his community.”
Imama released a statement on Friday: “It is frustrating and disheartening that it continues Although I sincerely believe that the sport has made positive progress, we still have a long way to go to educate the ignorant and make hockey a safe place for everyone.”
Tags: gesture, hands, suspension