Canucks brother winger claims racist attack during NCAA hockey game

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Jagger Joshua, the younger brother of Vancouver Canucks winger Dakota Joshua, was targeted with racist language during an NCAA hockey game between Joshua’s Michigan State Spartans and the Ohio Buckeyes, and was accused of college hockey. Authorities say they are not doing enough to combat racist behavior. .

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An Ohio State player used racist slurs against Joshua more than once during a game between the teams on Nov. 11, according to a social media post by Joshua on Monday.

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Joshua, who is black, has not named an OSU player, but it is clear that it is Kamil Sadrocha, a 23-year-old senior and one of OSU’s top scorers.

A line judge heard Sadlocha use racist language for the last time. After speaking with the referee, Sadrocha was assessed by the referee as cheating in the game.

Sadlocha was not subject to further disciplinary action by the Big Ten authorities, a conference of which the two universities are members, and Joshua expressed frustration at the lack of action by the Big Ten.

“Racist behavior does not belong in hockey because it can discourage African Americans and minorities like myself from playing and loving hockey,” he wrote in the post. “By not taking action in the face of racist comments and behavior, we can continue to engage in these behaviors.”

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“By doing nothing left me confused and pessimistic about the diversity movement in hockey culture. I feel that people need to be made aware of this.

Dakota Joshua spoke out against racism for his brother after Monday’s 5-4 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

“There is no room for that in this game or in life in general,” he told reporters. “It’s a terrible situation to be in. But the goal is to put it out there so that people can learn from it and hope it never happens again.”

“You would like to think that we have come a long way, especially in the last few years, but clearly we are still going,” he added. “Until it doesn’t exist, I don’t think it’s surprising.”

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Late Tuesday, after a storm of criticism that OSU’s initial response essentially did nothing beyond the game cheating assessed against Sadlocha, OSU athletic director Gene Smith said Sadlocha was sent home. He announced that he would not practice or compete in OSU men’s hockey.

“Students and student-athletes should not experience hate or racism and everyone should feel welcome. We are grateful that Jaguar is getting the support he needs,” Smith said.

He said he has met with the OSU men’s hockey team and Sadlocha over the past week and plans to meet again soon.

“The team will complete education on race sensitivity, diversity, fairness, inclusion and respectful use of dialogue,” he said.

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After Joshua first spoke about the situation on Monday, the Big Ten released a statement in response to a reporter’s question as to why no further disciplinary action was taken against Sadlocha.

Big Ten officials said they supported the official decision to assess the game for cheating, but said they would not “further investigate the incident, including reviewing videos of the game and speaking with officials and representatives from both teams.” He said he did not disclose “indisputable evidence”. The conference imposed no further discipline.

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Also on Monday, a full day before Smith’s update, OSU told the Columbus Dispatch that the university’s track and field team and men’s hockey team had “worked together” with the Big Ten to “reach a resolution,” but that the resolution had not been resolved. Didn’t specify what it was.

Former NHLer PK Subban spoke out Tuesday in support of Joshua, saying he and Anson Carter, who went to Michigan, were very disappointed with the initial reaction by the Big Ten and OSU. A retired hockey broadcaster for several years, Carter is co-chair of the NHL’s Player Engagement Committee.

“This is not about the game of hockey…this is about people honoring the privilege given to these athletes to compete in a fair and welcoming environment,” he said on Twitter. “Ridiculous. If not now… when?”

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The Michigan State University track and field director and head hockey coach shared a message of support for Joshua on Monday.

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Sadlocha is from Poland but grew up in the Chicago area. He played his two seasons in the USHL before heading to his OSU. Both of those seasons, Joshua was also playing in his USHL.

pjohnston@postmedia.com

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