Former NHLer Akim Aliu has accepted the apology of an equipment manager with the Colorado Eagles of the AHL for dressing as him, complete with blackface, at a Halloween party in 2011. Aliu has also requested that Tony Deynzer not be fired for his actions after meeting with the team's ownership to discuss ways to ensure it doesn't happened again.
Aliu and the Eagles released a joint statement Tuesday saying the two sides have had "candid discussion" about the incident and have agreed to work together to promote diversity and inclusiveness.
"Mr. Aliu also spoke with Toney Deynzer, who had requested to speak with him about the incident. The content of that conversation will remain private, suffice it to say Mr. Deynzer offered a heartfelt and emotional apology to Mr. Aliu, which Mr. Aliu accepted," reads the statement. Mr. Aliu requested that Mr. Deynzer not lose his job."
"I have accepted the apology by the Eagles and by Mr. Deynzer," said Aliu in the statement. "I believe we must confront racism head-on. I believe the time for big positive change in the sport has arrived and that this moment can be used to promote diversity, inclusiveness and safety in the sport and our community."
In a recent interview with the Wall Street Journal, Aliu said he was invited to a team Halloween party hosted by the Eagles' players, staff, management and even their families. A couple of days before the party, he says he was told to show up a little bit later than the start time. Aliu says he didn't think much of it, until he walked in and poured himself a beer. Deynzer, the team's equipment manager, came out from behind a corner dressed as Aliu, complete with a custom-made jersey bearing Aliu's number and nickname, Dreamer, on the back and in blackface.
Aliu posed for the picture with Deynzer which you can see above, after being prompted by his teammates and others in attendance. He says he didn't want to cause a scene because families, including children, were present. He says he felt trapped, was in shock, and didn't fully realize the gravity of the moment until he called his brother immediately afterward.
“I didn't even grasp the idea of how vicious of a thing that is to do,” Aliu told the Wall Street Journal.
Former Calgary Head Coach Bill Peters recently stepped down from his position after Aliu revealed that Peters directed racial slurs at his in the dressing room when both were with the Rockford IceHogs of the AHL. Peters released a statement saying he had immediately apologized for it, something Aliu denied ever happened.
You can read the full statement from the two sides below.
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