A former player with the Western Hockey League Chilliwack Bruins is in hot water over something he said during a minor league hockey game.
Brandon Manning, a defenceman who played in Chilliwack from 2008 to 2011, was heard directing a racial slur towards an opponent during an American Hockey League matchup Monday night.
Manning plays for the Bakersfield Condors, the AHL affiliate of the National Hockey League’s Edmonton Oilers, and his team was facing the Ontario Reign.
Whatever the 29 year old said earned him swift justice from the AHL in the form of a five game suspension.
Manning said he apologized to the player afterwards and issued an apology through the Condors.
“Last night I made comments to an opposing player that were stupid and offensive,” Manning said on Tuesday. “After the game, I spoke with the opposing player in person, which I’m very grateful for. He allowed me to apologize and I took full responsibility for what I said.
“To say I’ve learned from this situation is an understatement and I promise to be better.”
Keith Gretzky, the general manager of the Condors, also issued a statement.
“We are aware of an unacceptable comment directed toward an Ontario Reign player by Bakersfield Condors defencemen during last night’s game,” he said. “This is a very serious matter. We are disappointed by Brandon’s comment and we fully support the American Hockey League’s decision.
“The Oilers and Condors organizations wholeheartedly believe in a respectful workplace and will work to better educate our players on appropriate conduct on and off the ice.”
Manning is trying to get back to the NHL, where he’s played 249 games over the last seven seasons with the Oilers, Chicago Black Hawks and Philadelphia Flyers.
He and Nick Holden are the two former Bruins who’ve played the most big-league games. Holden has logged 498 regular season and playoff games with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Colorado Avalanche, Boston Bruins, New York Rangers and Las Vegas Golden Knights.
Holden and Manning both captained the Bruins.
