American Hockey League suspends player 30 games for making 'racial gesture'

The American Hockey League has suspended San Jose Barracuda forward Krystof Hrabik 30 games for making a "racial gesture" at Tucson Roadrunners left-wing Boko Imama during a game last week.

The league said in a release that Hrabik made the gesture at Imama, who is Black, during Tucson's 4-3 win over San Jose on Jan. 12.

Hrabik, who has already served three games of the suspension, would be eligible to return April 3.

The AHL said in a statement that Hrabik may apply for reinstatement after March 12, based on an evaluation of his progress in the education and training on racism and inclusion administered by the NHL's Player Inclusion Committee.

Hrabik released a statement Friday night, apologizing for the incident.

"I'm ashamed of today's events and embarrassed by the action's that led to my suspension," Hrabik's statement read. "I want everyone to know that I'm very sorry for what has occurred and I take full responsibility for my actions."

Imama, born in Montreal to parents who immigrated from Democratic Republic of Congo, has been subjected to racist behaviour in the AHL before. Bakersfield Condors defenceman Brandon Manning using a racial slur in an altercation with Imama during a Jan. 22, 2020 game, when Imama was with the Ontario Reign.

Manning was suspended five games for uttering the slur.

Imama took to Twitter Friday to comment on the incident with Hrabik, as well as the ongoing issues he's faced in the sport.

"[People of colour] have enough to worry about as pro hockey players and it saddens me when anyone has to deal with these types of issues. ... My hope is that people learn from this and that some day hockey will truly be for everyone."