MSU hockey’s Joshua: Buckeye player used slurs
Michigan State senior hockey player Jagger Joshua released a statement on Twitter Monday night saying that an Ohio State player used a racial slur on multiple occasions during the Spartans’ Nov. 11 game against the Buckeyes.
Joshua says that a game official overheard the slur and issued a game misconduct to the OSU player.
OSU’s Kamil Sadlocha received a game misconduct at the 10:39 mark of the second period in that game. Sadlocha played in both of OSU’s games against Notre Dame the following weekend.
Joshua said in his statement that he was upset no additional punishment was imposed after the Big Ten investigated the matter.
“The inaction has left me feeling confused and pessimistic about the movement of diversity within hockey culture,” Joshua said in his statement. “The ignorance of racism does not belong in our game, and I feel that I need to make people aware that this incident occurred. Because without acknowledgement, the problem gets worse.”
The Big Ten issued a statement late Monday about the situation. It said that after gathering information from the officials and both schools and reviewing video footage that it “supports the decision by the official to levy a game misconduct penalty on OSU. Due to the absence of indisputable evidence presented to the conference, the conference has not imposed further disciplinary action.”
Joshua’s older brother, Dakota, is a former Ohio State player and is currently a member of the Vancouver Canucks. Sadlocha redshirted in his first season when Dakota Joshua was a senior.
“Michigan State Athletics stands with Jagger Joshua, and commends him for having the courage to speak up against racial injustice,” MSU Athletics Director Alan Haller said in a statement Monday evening. “As a department, we are committed to providing opportunities for all student-athletes to compete in a space free from discrimination, racism or hate.”
Joshua is the Spartans’ leading goal scorer this season, netting a career-best six goals in 14 games.
“At Michigan State, we are committed to a safe and welcoming space for our student-athletes,” MSU hockey coach Adam Nightingale said in a statement. “It is important to me that all student athletes feel comfortable and supported in our locker room and in our program. I am proud to have Jagger Joshua on our team.”