News (USA)

Blackhawks player appears to use gay slur after playoff loss

Blackhawks player appears to use gay slur after playoff loss

CHICAGO (AP) — Blackhawks forward Andrew Shaw appeared to use a gay slur during a 4-3 playoff loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday night, and a prominent gay rights group affiliated with the NHL said it planned to reach out to the league.

Shaw was sent off for interference at 17:56 of the third period, hurting Chicago’s chance for a comeback. While sitting in the penalty box, Shaw pounded on the glass with his stick and then yelled what looked like a slur toward someone on the ice.

The You Can Play Project — which aims to ensure equality, respect and safety for all athletes, without regard to sexual orientation — tweeted that it was aware of the incident and “will be reaching out to the NHL immediately to assist in an appropriate response.”

Asked twice about what happened, Shaw said he didn’t remember.

“Being like I just said — I’ll repeat myself for you — emotions are high,” he said. “I don’t know what was said. Obviously, I was upset with the call. I wasn’t happy with the call.”

A message was left seeking comment from the team, which recently highlighted its partnership with the You Can Play Project. Defenseman Niklas Hjalmarsson and goaltender Scott Darling also participated in a video supporting the group’s mission.

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