Evander Kane’s former teammate gets suspended for racist gesture

The American Hockey League has suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik for 30 games as a consequence of a racial gesture directed at Boko Imama of the Tucson Roadrunners during a game on Jan. 12. He is eligible to return to the lineup on April 3, 2022.

I hope Hrabik feels horrible about the disgusting move he pulled. After all, he was teammates with Evander Kane - albeit for a short period of time - but come on, how could you do something like this, even if Imama is your opponent?! I hope he wouldn’t have dare to do the same thing if Kane was still on the roster: nevertheless, he should know better at all times. Hockey is for all.

The AHL mentioned that Hrabik may apply to AHL president and chief executive officer Scott Howson for a reduction to the suspension and reinstatement after March 12, based on an evaluation of his progress in the necessary education and training he will be required to take part in with the Player Inclusion Committee.

“The AHL stands with Boko Imama,” said Howson. “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.”

He better learn!

The 22-year-old, who has some growing up to do, has one goal and four points in 21 games this season. Undrafted to begin his NHL career, he has spent the past two seasons splitting time between the AHL and ECHL.

While Kane can be blamed for a lot of things, he is an advocate for the black community and it’d be great if he could get some sense into his former teammate’s head for his career in hockey.