Akim Aliu, who wrote on Twitter in November about racist comments by then-Rockford Ice Hogs coach Bill Peters that eventually led to Peters’ resignation in late November as coach of the Calgary Flames, told the Journal of an episode that occurred when he was a member of the ECHL’s Colorado Eagles. Aliu, who was born in Nigeria, was invited to the team’s Halloween party, where head equipment manager Tony Deynzer was wearing an Afro-style wig, blackface and a custom jersey sporting Aliu’s number and nickname, “Dreamer.”
“Guys just started laughing,” Aliu told the WSJ, adding that his teammates made him pose with Deynzer, who is the only one smiling in the picture. “All I can do is tell my story.”
“I didn’t even grasp the idea of how vicious of a thing that is to do,” Aliu added.
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Deynzer still works for the Eagles. ESPN reported that the club has placed him on administrative leave. The Eagles also issued an apology to Aliu on Twitter:
The Eagles were an affiliate of the Winnipeg Jets at the time and now are the Colorado Avalanche’s AHL affiliate.
Aliu, a second-round draft pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007, played in 10 games with the Eagles. He told the WSJ he asked for a trade a few weeks after the incident because of stress that required hospitalization. The Jets traded him to the Flames on Jan. 29, 2012, for John Negrin. Aliu played in seven games over two seasons with Calgary, netting two goals and three points.
Last week, Aliu met with Bettman and deputy commissioner Bill Daly and reportedly informed them of what transpired. After Bettman released his plan Monday, Aliu responded on Twitter.
“I am encouraged the commissioner embraced many of the changes we proposed at the meeting,” he wrote. “Now the hard work begins of focusing on specifics and implementing policy that will make this sport more diverse, safer, and accountable. We have to ensure that future generations of hockey players do not face the barriers and racism that I have throughout my career. Together we can do something truly great and transformative for hockey.”
