On Wednesday, Hockey East investigated "a potential racist incident" that occurred during last Friday's opening quarterfinal game between Boston College and Providence. College Hockey News first reported the incident, which was identified as a remark directed at Providence junior forward Vimal Sukumaran from an Eagles player. Game officials were made aware of the situation, but...
On Wednesday, Hockey East investigated "a potential racist incident" that occurred during last Friday's opening quarterfinal game between Boston College and Providence.
College Hockey News first reported the incident, which was identified as a remark directed at Providence junior forward Vimal Sukumaran from an Eagles player. Game officials were made aware of the situation, but Hockey East released a statement on Wednesday night saying that "the matter is considered closed" following completion of the investigation.
In the statement, Hockey East Commissioner Joe Bertagna said in part, "While we are aware some inappropriate remarks were made between players on the ice, we were unable to determine the source of the remarks with the degree of certainty necessary to take further action at this time."
The College Hockey News report also indicated that the day's investigation was slowed because audio evidence of the situation was not available.
Hockey East's statement also noted that educational policies will be pursued in order to educate Hockey East student-athletes and help prevent similar future incidents.
"Inclusivity and respect are important pillars to all schools in the Hockey East family and the league looks forward to continuing to promote those values through education," Bertagna's statement concluded.
Boston College's earlier statement on Wednesday noted that the incident had been addressed with the team, which which Athletic Director Martin Jarmond spoke.
“There is much uncertainty regarding what may or may not have been said among players during the hockey game last Friday at Providence College," the statement said. "BC Athletic Director Martin Jarmond spoke with the BC hockey team and reiterated his and Coach York’s highest expectations regarding their professionalism. He also reached out directly to the Providence player involved in the alleged incident. Based on the facts available to all parties, we consider the matter to be resolved."
The incident occurred during Providence's 5-4 overtime win at Schneider Arena, but BC came back to win the next two games and, thus, the best-of-three series. The Eagles will play top-seeded Massachusetts in this coming Friday's second Hockey East semifinal game at TD Garden and need to win the league championship in order to clinch a bid to the NCAA tournament.
