Manitoba junior hockey player suspended for alleged racist gesture

The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has suspended Dauphin Kings defenceman Klim Georgiev a minimum of 18 games for making what appeared to be a racist gesture during a game.

The MJHL announced the suspension in a statement Thursday and said the gesture was directed at an Indigenous player following a game between Dauphin and the Waywayseecappo Wolverines last Saturday.

Georgiev made raised his stick and made what appeared to be a bow-and-arrow gesture after the final buzzer.

The league said Georgiev will sit out a minimum of 11 regular-season games and seven playoff games, subject to the completion of a reconciliation process, the league said.

Georgiev has since apologized to the player and the Wolverines organization.

The MJHL said that apology has been accepted, and that Georgiev is undergoing anti-racism and cultural sensitivity training.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 25, 2022.