Wayne Simmonds wonders if his own children should play hockey

Many hockey players around the world have responded to the awful act of Andrei Deniskin of the Ukrainian Hockey League, who was banned for 13 games after pretending to peel and eat a banana in front of black opponent Jalen Smereck last week. For Wayne Simmonds of the Toronto Maple Leafs, it's deeply personal.

Simmonds was asked about the situation by Sportsnet reporter Luke Fox, and he didn't hold back one bit. He told Fox he was fed up, and the entire thing has him wondering if he would allow his own children to play the sport.

Simmonds is a member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, a group of BIPOC players who formed the organization to address the sport's lack of diversity, as well as racism within the sport. He was asked if the HDA has discussed the incident.

"If I had it up to me, you got two choices," said Simmonds. "You either face off against us and we're gonna kick the crap out of you - or you're banned for life. It's come to a point where it's sickening, it's disgusting. The way that guy did what he did, without any hesitancy, it makes me sick to my stomach. I know that I got to play, and potentially let my children play hockey, to face these types of incidents, I can see why people of colour don't want to play hockey. I can see why parents are completely afraid to put their kids into the sport. I'm the same way as well. I faced a lot of these things myself, and I don't even know if I want my kids playing hockey to be quite honest."

Earlier Thursday, the General Manager of the Ukrainian Hockey League released a statement saying he'd been fired by the organization for speaking out against racism and attempting to get a longer suspension for Deniskin. You can read those details here.

MUST READ

4 minutes ago  |  By Tom Banks Jeremy Swayman on the Verge of Losing the Starting Role in Boston: His Contract Looks Like a Disaster

3 hours ago  |  By TJ Tucker Detroit Red Wings Place Massive Six-Foot-Six Forward on Waivers

5 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Connor Bedard's Struggles Prove Chicago Blackhawks are in Dire Need of a Coaching Change

6 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery NHL Analyst Believes Toronto Maple Leafs are Exploring Possible Reunion With Nazem Kadri

7 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery 800-Game NHL Veteran Nick Bonino Signs an Unexpected New Professional Contract

9 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Jordan Reaves Calls Out Darnell Nurse After He Plays the Victim Following Hit From Brother Ryan

22 hours ago  |  By Graham Montgomery Two Maple Leafs Reporters Have Tense Altercation on Mitch Marner's Market Value

23 hours ago  |  By Tom Banks Nashville Predators Practice Takes a Nasty Turn as Players Fight On the Ice Due to Mounting Frustration

MORE STORIES