Hockey Saskatchewan looking into alleged racial slurs at weekend game

A formal complaint has been made to Hockey Saskatchewan after racist slurs were allegedly made towards Indigenous players from northern communities.

The incident allegedly occurred Saturday at a hockey tournament in Shellbrook, where the U15 Stanley Mission River Hawks had been invited to play.

According to Lac La Ronge Indian Band Coun. Jimmy Charles, there was an altercation with U15 Tisdale Ramblers players during the tournament and one or more members from that team allegedly directed racial slurs at River Hawks players.

“We’ve been dealing with this for years on and on,” Charles said about racism in hockey. “In this day and age, there’s no room for racism at this time, especially in sports, youth sports.

“From my point of view growing up as a kid and coming from the north, we always dealt with the racism in hockey growing up. In some instances, we had to be escorted out of southern rinks.”

Charles said he first became aware of the allegations Monday and then he sent an email to Hockey Saskatchewan on Tuesday morning. He would like an apology letter issued to the River Hawks — who consist of players from Stanley Mission, Sucker River and Southend — from the Ramblers.

“It’s horrible that it happened and it’s still happening in the hockey community,” Charles said. “There’s no room for it at all. We all have to work on equality, focus on everybody and respect everybody’s backgrounds.”

larongeNOW reached out to Ramblers head coach Todd Coleman, who expressed concern in an emailed reply. He wrote the inquiry was the first time he had heard of the alleged incident, adding he thought it was a clean game.

“I will be addressing this with my team as we do not take this type of allegation lightly!” Coleman responded. “We have had conversations with our players regarding this type of incident as I agree there is no room for this type of stuff in hockey, school or anywhere for that matter.”

Hockey Saskatchewan general manager Kelly McClintock confirmed to larongeNOW the matter was forwarded to an official for disciplinary purposes.

By Derek Cornet, larongeNOW