OHL player suspended after `Euros' comment

Duluth News Tribune ^ | 02-02-04 | AP

[jaykay]

	Posted on Mon, Feb. 02, 2004
	OHL player suspended after `Euros' comment Associated Press PLYMOUTH, Mich. Plymouth Whalers defenseman James Wisniewski has been suspended for five games by the Ontario Hockey League for using the word "Euros" during a game. During Plymouth's 7-4 loss Friday to visiting Owen Sound, Stefan Ruzicka challenged Wisniewski to a fight, and Wisniewski reportedly responded by saying he did not fight "Euros." The comment was overheard by a linesman. Wisniewski, Plymouth's captain, received a gross misconduct penalty. Ruzicka, a third-round pick by Philadelphia in last year's draft, is a native of Nitra, Slovakia. Wisniewski said he didn't think he was being insensitive, and Plymouth coach Mike Vellucci agreed. "I don't think he meant it in a harmful way," Vellucci told the Detroit Free Press. Ted Baker, the OHL's director of hockey operations, said the league does not tolerate comments directed at players based on their origin, ethnicity or sexual orientation. Baker said there was no opportunity for Wisniewski to appeal. "It was a transgression," Baker said of Wisniewski's comment. "I'll leave it to others whether it was major or minor." Wisniewski began the suspension Saturday.

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[ovrtaxt]

I don't see what the big deal is. Euros have hockey-player-like teeth, so how can it be a slur?

[Agnes Heep]

What was it that Judge Roy Bean replied to the women who complained that he had called them whores?

[Alberta's Child]

The OHL is wrong on two counts here. First of all, it's hard to take any sports league seriously when it gives out five-minute major penalties for engaging in a fight on the ice, and a five-game suspension for insulting (if you could even call it that) an opposing player.

Secondly, Mr. Wisniewski has probably touched a nerve here because of European players' well-earned reputation for generally being averse to the physical side of the game of hockey.

Having said that, this guy probably deserves to be suspended after all. He should have taken the Clymer on and laid a beatin' on him.

[Dan from Michigan]

Ridiculous. The best way to handle something like that is to drop the gloves.

[Britton J Wingfield]

ping! hahaha

[cateizgr8]

Oh jeez!! That is freakin stupid!

[Gil4]

Well, duh! When in doubt, always drop the gloves.

Especially when dealing with a Euro-weenie.