The American Hockey League dropped the hammer down on San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik following a disturbing incident that occurred earlier this month.
On Friday, the AHL confirmed Hrabik has been suspended 30 games for using a “racial gesture directed at Boko Imama of the Tucson Roadrunners” during a contest on Jan. 12. According to Greg Wyshynski of ESPN, Hrabik “imitated the movements of a monkey” while taunting Imama, a Black player for the Roadrunners.
Hrabik was removed from team activities the following day as the AHL began an investigation. As a result, he has already served three games of his ban.
Hrabik is to complete “necessary education and training with the Player Inclusion Committee” before he is eligible to apply for a reduction to the suspension and reinstatement after March 12. As things stand today, he’s set to return to action on April 3.
“The AHL stands with Boko Imama,” AHL president and CEO Scott Howson said in the official release. “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.”
The Barracuda are the AHL affiliate of the NHL’s San Jose Sharks. Those clubs released a joint statement on Friday.
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