Jalen Smereck, his team, others react to suspension for racist gesture
The reaction has come in fast to the Ukrainian Hockey League's decision on a suspension for Andrei Deniskin, who directed a racist gesture at black opponent Jalen Smereck during a game over the weekend. Just about all of it is negative.
The Disciplinary Committee of the Ukrainian Ice Hockey Federation, which oversees the (UHL), has decided on a total suspension of 13 games. Deniskin must sit for at least three games, but can pay a fine in order to play in the other 10 if he so chooses. The fine is 5000 Ukrainian hryvnia for each game, the equivalent of $188 USD. . If Deniskin wants to play in all 10 of those games, he would forfeit about $1880 USD. Smereck responded on Twitter to the announcement. While he didn't say much, it's easy to tell he isn't happy.
Chris Johnston, who recently joined TSN after being with Sportsnet for several years, called the decision "staggeringly weak", adding that Smereck's team HC Donbass intends to appeal the ruling.
Sportsnet Insider Elliotte Friedman called the suspension "soft." He added that the International Ice Hockey Federation can suspend Deniskin for longer from representing Team Ukraine. The IIHF has yet to make an announcement.
Some feel Deniskin is getting off easy because he is considered a star player in the UHL. Last season, he finished second in the league in terms of points.
Deniskin's actions hardly seem like a spur-of-the-moment decision. He took great care in his mockery of Smereck while methodically pretending to peel and eat a banana. It's difficult to see this as anything other than a weak, and almost pathetic decision by the Ukrainian Hockey Federation.
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29 MAI 2026
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| B | P | PTS | ||
| Taylor Hall | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Logan Stankoven | 1 | 2 | 3 | |
| Jackson Blake | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Seth Jarvis | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Cole Caufield | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Shayne Gostisbehere | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Eric Robinson | 1 | - | 1 | |
| Sebastian Aho | - | 1 | 1 | |
| William Carrier | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Nikolaj Ehlers | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Lane Hutson | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Alexander Nikishin | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Andrei Svechnikov | - | 1 | 1 | |
| Frederik Andersen | - | - | - | |
| Josh Anderson | - | - | - | |
| Zachary Bolduc | - | - | - | |
| Alexandre Carrier | - | - | - | |
| Jalen Chatfield | - | - | - | |
| Kirby Dach | - | - | - | |
| Phillip Danault | - | - | - | |
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