The Manitoba Junior Hockey League has announced that Kings' defenceman Klim Georgiev has been suspended for a minimum of 18 games subject to completion of the process of reconciliation committed to below as a result of his Gross Misconduct Penalty for discriminatory taunting under Hockey Canada rule 11.4.
The suspension means he won't play another regular-season junior game and he isn't eligible to play for the first seven games of the playoffs.
Georgiev has apologized to the player and the Waywayseecappo Wolverines organization.
The Dauphin Kings have also committed to continuing their work with Wade Houle (Bright Sky Consulting) and Treaty 2 leadership in consultation with the Waywayseecappo Wolverines organization to address this incident and to further combat racism in hockey.
Dauphin returns to the ice on Friday against the Wolverines at Credit Union Place.
The Dauphin Kings had the following in a statement released Thursday night.
The Dauphin Kings are in support of the Manitoba Junior Hockey League’s decision to suspend Klim Georgiev and will continue to support and guide him through this process.
Although Klim and the Dauphin Kings have taken many steps towards the reconciliation process, we recognize that we still have many more steps to take.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank the Waywayseecappo Wolverines organization and their community for keeping an open mind and allowing us to take these steps.
We would also ask that everyone please support Klim’s personal life and allow him the opportunity to work through the reconciliation process.
