AHL Player Suspended 30 Games For Racial Gesture

In the ugly section of the news today, the AHL has made a decision to suspend Krystof Hrabik of the San Jose Barracuda for 30 games after he directed a racial gesture towards Tucson Roadrunners forward Bokondji Imama during a game played on January 12th. The AHL went on to comment:

It is unfair that any player should be subjected to comments or gestures based on their race; they should be judged only on their ability to perform as a player on the ice, as a teammate in the locker room, and as a member of their community.

Imama, who signed a one-year two-way contract with the Arizona Coyotes, is no stranger to this kind of behaviour, unfortunately, as the 25-year-old was the object of a racial slur on the ice just two seasons ago. That kind of nonsense has no place in the game of hockey, and the AHL made a point by suspending Hrabik for 30 games for the immature act. Hrabik will get a chance to appeal his suspension under the AHL’s new guidelines:

Hrabik will now be given the opportunity to work with the NHL’s Player Inclusion Committee as his suspension unfolds and participate in education and training on racism and inclusion. In the event that he accepts this invitation, Hrabik can then appeal to Howson for a reduction to his suspension after Mar. 12, with the decision being made based on Hrabik’s progress with the committee.

While one can understand the Barracudas center wanting to get back on the ice as soon as possible, when you get suspended for something as distasteful as this, it’s probably best to just lay low and do your time.