Colorado Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri subject to racist threats after Game 3, law enforcement investigating situation
According to Akim Aliu, former NHL player and co-founder of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, Nazem Kadri has been the subject of many racist attacks and threats in the wake of Game 3 between the Colorado Avalanche and the St. Louis Blues. Law enforcement are involved in the situation and investigating the threats.
Talked to @43_kadri
About his inadvertent collision w Binnington. Naz has been subject to so many racist attacks and threats since last night that police had to be brought in. Racist attacks like this have no place in hockey and should be investigated and reported on.
In Game 3 of the Avalanche and Blues’ second round series, Kadri was driving the net to try and score on the rebound of Artturi Lehkonen, along with Blues defenseman Calle Rosen who was trying to clear the rebound away. They both collided into Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington, injuring him and taking him out of the game and the series.
Controversy stemmed from the incident, as many believe that Kadri intentionally pushed Rosen into Binnington in hopes of causing an injury to the goalie, especially with how well Binnington has played in the series. Binnington may have made his thoughts clear after the game, as Kadri believes that Binnington threw a water bottle at him while he was doing a postgame interview with TNT.
No details about the threats have been released at this time, but it’s likely due to the collision, as well as Kadri’s history of suspensions in the playoffs. The threats are reportedly targeting Kadri’s race, as he is of Lebanese decent, despite the fact that he was born and raised in Canada. The Avalanche say local law enforcement are investigating the threats.
Kadri is a pending unrestricted free agent coming off of a career year that saw him score 87 points in just 71 games. He currently has two goals and six points in seven playoff games, including a goal and an assist in Game 3.
There are currently no updates on any fines or suspensions from the NHL Department of Player Safety towards the reported water bottle throw from Binnington.
The NHL’s Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly also spoke on Monday morning about the alleged threats.
NHL’s Bill Daly on alleged threats towards Nazem Kadri. “We take threats made to any of our Players or other Club personnel seriously. We are in touch with St. Louis Police Department and they are employing enhanced security procedures both at the arena and in the hotel”.
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) May 23, 2022