Four spectators were ejected from Chicago's United Center Saturday after heckling Capitals forward Devante Smith-Pelly while he was in the penalty box.
Officials heard fans taunting the 25-year-old Toronto native by repeatedly yelling the word "basketball." The implication is that because Smith-Pelly is black, he should be playing on the hardwood instead of the ice.
Fans next to the penalty box said "basketball, basketball, basketball" to Smith-Pelly when he was in the penalty box, according to a Caps spokesman. DSP was understandably upset. The off-ice official confirmed what happened and the fans were booted. That's the holdup for Trotz.
— Isabelle Khurshudyan (@ikhurshudyan) February 18, 2018
"There's absolutely no place in the game of hockey or in our country for racism," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said following Washington's 7-1 loss to the Blackhawks. "I think it's disgusting."
“There’s absolutely no place in the game of hockey or in our country for racism.” — #Caps Coach Barry Trotz on an incident involving Devante Smith-Pelly on Saturday in Chicago. Four fans were ejected for taunting DSP when he was in penalty box. pic.twitter.com/kxn3uClSBY
— Tarik El-Bashir⌨️?? (@TarikNBCS) February 18, 2018
Smith-Pelly, who had 12:50 of ice time Saturday, heard the taunt and got up to confront one fan through the glass but was quickly turned around by the penalty box attendant.
Two Smith-Pelly GIFs. First, you can see him hear someone say something to him, and he looks over at them. pic.twitter.com/LvwUgFl7AL
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 18, 2018
Next, he clearly has had enough of whatever is being said, gets up to address the fans. pic.twitter.com/VLu4qHSSMy
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 18, 2018
"Athletes in our country don't deserve that," Trotz added. "It just shows ignorance."
The Blackhawks did issue a statement, calling the comments directed toward Smith-Pelly "harmful."
"The fans were immediately removed and we apologize to Smith-Pelly and the Washington Capitals organization," the team said. "We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone who attends out games and these actions will never be tolerated."
