Youth hockey program suspends players, coaches over racist video

In an exclusive story uncovered by The Athletic, senior writer Katie Strang reports that the Los Angeles based Jr Kings youth hockey team has suspended 15 players and three coaches after the team shared a racist video on social media.

According to Strang’s article, a racist video was posted on social media showing” one player appearing to do a Nazi salute” and other “players making what sound like anti-Semitic remark."

Here’s Strang’s account in her own words:

The nine-second video, which was briefly posted on social media and later obtained by The Athletic, features one player from the LA Jr. Kings 14U Bantam AAA team appearing to do the salute while several others laugh. Individuals can then be heard saying what sounds like “Are you a Nazi?” and then “fuck the Jews” and “fucking Jews.” Not all the players in the video comment and only one raises his arm in what appears to be a Nazi salute.

In response to Strang’s report, the Jr Kings have offered up a statement, saying:

“Today the LAJK communicated to the players & coaches that as a component of their suspension they will be required to participate in a mandatory educational program; comprised of sensitivity and social media training administered by outside professionals experienced in impactful positive youth education.

“We are a club that prides itself on being a community; one that fosters values such as friendship, respect and teamwork, and upholds ideals like diversity, equality and tolerance.”

The NHL’s Kings, who do not have an official affiliation with the youth team but does allow for them to use their logos and wordmarks, also offered up a statement:

“Since we were made aware of the incidents of March 9 we have been in regular communication with the LA Jr. Kings – a recreational club team operating out of our training facility. We fully supported their decision to indefinitely suspend all players and coaches after they conducted an immediate internal investigation. The LA Kings have zero tolerance for this type of behavior. We now await the results of the SafeSport investigation done by (the California Amateur Hockey Association), on behalf of the Pacific District and USA hockey.”

Now… this is obviously abhorrent behaviour that absolutely needed harsh punishment. Having said that, it’s important to remember that these players are children. The Jr. Kings are an Under-14 AAA team so it’s assumed that the players making these remarks are just 13 years old. This doesn’t excuse their behaviour, but it does shed some light on the situation. Here’s hoping that the message delivered by suspending all those involved helps these children see the error of their ways.