By The Canadian Press
Players’ sticks are shown during the Ice Hockey World Championships Group A match between Russia and Denmark, in Moscow, Russia, on Thursday, May 12, 2016. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Ivan Sekretarev)
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 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.
