Bill Peters accused of using racial slur, also fired

[herman]

Akim Aliu showed up to a team Halloween party. Inside, there was a staffer dressed up as him—in blackface.

Aliu is speaking out—about being called the n-word, about the blackface incident, about the culture—and he's bringing a racial reckoning to hockey: https://t.co/LVMyUdvOdl

— Andrew Beaton (@andrewlbeaton) December 11, 2019

[Nik Bethune]

I appreciate that the issues of racism within the game are going to get a lot of the attention and rightfully so but I think we haven't really come to terms with the fact that with the whole Aliu-Downie thing the whole hockey establishment basically sided with Downie(and that includes the media and fans) and we all sort of went along with that.

[Coco-puffs]

I appreciate that the issues of racism within the game are going to get a lot of the attention and rightfully so but I think we haven't really come to terms with the fact that with the whole Aliu-Downie thing the whole hockey establishment basically sided with Downie(and that includes the media and fans) and we all sort of went along with that.

The Downie-Aliu incident also happened 14 years ago- are you surprised that's where people sided with things that long ago?  I'm pretty sure hazing at that time was likely more acceptable than it is now- NOT THAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN.

Already one coach (DJ Smith) who was there for that incident has come out and said that following that incident he banned hazing practices when he became a head coach in Oshawa and players in that organization say that ban is still in place. 

Clearly its taken hockey culture too long to adjust, especially in some places, but it is changing.  Hopefully all of this coming out now will accelerate it.

[Nik Bethune]

The Downie-Aliu incident also happened 14 years ago- are you surprised that's where people sided with things that long ago?  I'm pretty sure hazing at that time was likely more acceptable than it is now-

Yes, I was surprised. Admittedly, my perspective might be slightly skewed on this but I was in a fraternity in university around that time and hazing, and it's social acceptability, was something that popped up a lot for me because there had been a rash of pretty public hazing incidents(none involving us or even at my school) and it greatly affected our insurance rates and mandated that our executive council do a lot of anti-hazing training.

Which isn't to say that hazing had been eliminated from society or anything just that very public incidents of it were, I don't think, as acceptable as you think they were(not you personally I mean but by society). If only for liability purposes.

[herman]

Colorado Eagles trainer Tony Deynzer has been placed on an administrative leave of absence by the Colorado Avalanche.

The news comes after Akim Aliu spoke with the Wall Street Journal about how Deynzer dressed in blackface back in 2011 at a Halloween Party. #Avs

— Ryan S. Clark (@ryan_s_clark) December 11, 2019

Just spoke with Deynzer's attorney. As one might imagine, much was off-the-record.

He did confirm with me that Deynzer has prepared an apology, which he'll be giving to Aliu in person. CEO Lind & org. very upset and are investigating details while he's on leave. No timetable. https://t.co/oZcflwneki

— Scott MacDonald (@0ffScottFree) December 12, 2019

“I’m so sorry that everyone found out about what a poop emoji I am”

[Hobbes]

Crawford/Hawks update

I approve of the way this is being handled. It outlines that the actions of Crawford were unacceptable at the time, but that he has acknowledged that, tried to make amends with the players he's wronged, has sought ongoing help, and wishes to be a voice to help further the growth of the game away from what he once was.

I had visions of potential witch-hunts and career-ending judgements for actions that were once deemed just an unspoken ugly standard. It's unfair to judge someone today solely by their actions 20 or 30 years ago when the expectations and social "rules" were different. That doesn't excuse or condone those past actions, but at least it treats them in the context of the era.

For Crawford to serve a limited suspension and the resume duties as laid out in that article seems to be a pretty fair way to handle it.

[Nik Bethune]

I had visions of potential witch-hunts and career-ending judgements for actions that were once deemed just an unspoken ugly standard. It's unfair to judge someone today solely by their actions 20 or 30 years ago when the expectations and social "rules" were different. That doesn't excuse or condone those past actions, but at least it treats them in the context of the era.

While I appreciate what you're saying, I think it should be acknowledged that in a lot of these cases the "rules" were different because the people who complained about them and wanted to change them were labelled all sorts of nasty things by the Don Cherrys of the game and effectively driven out. So it can't really be a defense if those standards were being stubbornly clung to by the same people who now think they're exculpatory.

[herman]

A joint public statement from Akim Aliu and the Colorado Eagles, following last week’s blackface incident revelation: pic.twitter.com/iquVRmfB7B

— Frank Seravalli (@frank_seravalli) December 17, 2019

[herman]

During these difficult past few months, I’ve done lots of thinking and self reflection, and decided to tell the story of my own journey in my own words. I hope this will inspire the next generation of athletes when things return to normal. #TimeToDream     https://t.co/UuVykTMpU9

— Akim Aliu (@Dreamer_Aliu78) May 19, 2020