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A21
Hockey player
accepts team
employee's
apology for blackface
By JOHN WAWROW safety in the sport and our
AP Sports Writer community."
A Nigerian-born hockey The Eagles, who are the
player has accepted the Colorado Avalanche's
apology of a minor league minor-league affiliate,
equipment manager who placed Deynzer on admin-
wore blackface to the istrative leave and publicly
team's Halloween party in apologized to Aliu.
2011. Team owner Martin Lind
Akim Aliu also requested said he has since spoken
that the manager, Tony with Aliu on several occa-
Deynzer, not lose his job sions, and called Deynzer's
over the incident, one of actions an "unacceptable
multiple examples of rac- racist incident."
ism in the sport that Aliu has "It is very apparent that
brought to light in recent Akim's heart for the human
weeks.In a joint statement being is far greater and far
released Tuesday, Aliu outweighs any grievance
and the American Hockey from the past," Lind said.
League's Colorado Eagles "Listening to Akim was both
said the two sides have emotional and inspira-
had "candid discussions" tional, and a very moving
over what happened and moment in my career," he
have agreed to work col- added.
laboratively to promote di- "I let him know how sorry
versity and inclusiveness. we were as an organiza-
Aliu first made headlines tion and how it in no way
late last month when he reflected our values."
went public in alleging for- The allegations by Akim
mer Calgary Flames coach prompted the NHL to move
Bill Peters directed racial swiftly by strengthening its
slurs at him while the two personnel conduct policies
were in the minors 10 years involving racism and bully-
ago. The allegations, which ing during its board of gov-
the coach acknowledged ernors meetings last week.
in a written apology, led to "Inclusion and diversity are
Peters' resignation. not simply buzz words. They
Last week, Aliu revealed are foundational principles
to The Wall Street Journal of the NHL," league com- "I think it's for the young guys coming up, period when Del Zotto misplayed a
that Deynzer dressed up missioner Gary Bettman
in blackface while wear- said. "Our message is un-
ing an Afro-style wig and equivocal: We will not tol- Palmieri said. "Tonight, finding a way to got the puck and found Hischier for a
a custom-made Eagles erate abusive behavior of
jersey with Aliu's number any kind."
and nickname "DREAMER" After the issues with Peters
printed on the back. Aliu emerged, Chicago Black-
also provided photographs hawks assistant coach
of him posing with Deynzer. Marc Crawford was ac-
Aliu requested to be trad- cused of physical and
ed shortly after the party, verbal abuse by several
and played only 10 games players, and the team an-
with the Eagles. nounced Monday he will
"I have accepted the apol- remain suspended until
ogy by the Eagles and by Jan. 2 before resuming his
Mr. Deynzer," said Aliu, a duties.q
30-year-old who grew up
outside Toronto and spent
most of his career playing
in the minors and Europe.
"I believe we must confront
racism head-on. I believe
the time for big positive
change in the sport has ar-
rived and that this moment
can be used to promote
diversity, inclusiveness and
SPORTS Friday 20 december 2019
Anaheim Ducks goaltender Ryan Miller (30) fends off New Jersey Devils center Nico Hischier
(13) and right wing Kyle Palmieri (21) with help from Ducks center Sam Steel (34) during the
third period of an NHL hockey game Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2019, in Newark, N.J. The Devils
won 3-1.
Associated Press
Hischier, Palmieri help Devils
win 1st game post-Hall
By TOM CANAVAN Anaheim defenseman Michael Del
AP Sports Writer Zotto had a hand in the Devils' goals.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — The New Jersey He had a giveaway on Hischier's goal
Devils' decision to trade 2018 MVP Tay- early in the second period and was in
lor Hall to Arizona has put pressure on the penalty box for interference when
other players to step up and lead the Palmieri gave New Jersey a 2-1 lead at
team. 11:29 of the second.
In their first game since Monday's trade, The journeyman defenseman lost a
Hall's former linemates Nico Hischier and battle with No. 1 overall draft pick Jack
Kyle Palmieri answered the call. Hughes in the corner early in the third
Hischier and Palmeiri scored second- period, leading to Vatenen's goal and
period goals and the Devils beat the a 3-1 lead.
Anaheim Ducks 3-1 on Wednesday Henrique gave Anaheim the lead, cap-
night, giving them consecutive wins for ping a 2-on-none with Ondrej Kase 3:33
only the fourth time this disappointing after the opening faceoff.
season. The tide changed early in the second
it's those close games and finding ways puck sent around the boards. It deflect-
to win or finding ways to close them out," ed toward the net, where Jesper Bratt
come from behind and find a lead go- shot low in the right circle at 1:28.
ing into the third and come out there Bratt is Hall's replacement at left wing
and keep playing on our toes. They had on the line center by Hischier. Palmieri is
a couple looks but we held the fort." on the right side.
Sami Vatanen also scored and Mack- "I feel comfortable playing with (Bratt),"
enzie Blackwood made 26 saves as the Hischier said. "I came in with him in this
Devils gave interim coach Alain Nasred- league and have played a lot of games
dine his second straight win. already with him. He's a great playmak-
Adam Henrique scored against his for- er who can score, so it's a lot of fun to
mer team for the Ducks, who squan- play with him."
dered an early 1-0 lead in losing to New Palmieri got his 13th of the season in the
Jersey for the first time in four games. closing seconds of the penalty against
Ryan Miller had 17 saves as Anaheim Del Zotto. He made a toe-drag move
lost its second straight on a four-game on defenseman Cam Fowler and beat
East Coast trip. the screened goaltender from the right
"Obviously you get a good start and circle.
get a lead and go from there," Hen- Vatanen extended the margin to two
rique saud. "We have to find a way to goals with a tally against his former
get that next one. That's the key right team, and Blackwood made the lead
now. We are having a hard time to get standing up, making 11 saves in the final
two and three and put out foot on the 20 minutes in giving New Jersey its first
throat of the other team. That's an area home win since Nov. 23 against Detroit.
that has to improve." Blackwood negated the effort. q