On Saturday night, the NHL, its fans, and players witnessed arguably its most embarrassing moment of the 2017-18 season. In a game between the Chicago Blackhawks and Washington Capitals at the United Center, four Blackhawks fans were ejected from the contest after getting into a verbal altercation with Capitals forward Devante smith-Pelly.
After the game, Capitals head coach Barry Trotz described the incident as “disgusting” and that there’s no place for racism in the game.
Players and fans expressed their displeasure on Twitter, including Philadelphia Flyers forward Wayne Simmonds. The 29-year-old stated that it’s “embarrassing that this still happens,” and that the remarks didn’t shock him.
Simmonds has also endured racism from fans during his time in the NHL. In a 2011 exhibition game between the Flyers and Detroit Red Wings played London, Ontario, a spectator threw a banana onto the ice as Simmonds zeroed in on a shootout attempt. After the incident, Simmonds said “when you’re black, you kind of expect (racist things). You learn to deal with it.”
Len Redkoles/NHLI via Getty Images
The comments towards Smith-Pelly ironically came during Hockey is for Everyone Month. The whole incident was simply unacceptable, but it’s at least good to see players speaking out in support of the player and against racism.
(H/T Wayne Simmonds, NHL)
