NEW YORK (AP) A hacker posted a racial slur 45 times in an online fan video chat Friday with a black New York Rangers prospect.
The NHL team scrambled to disable the hacker it called “a vile individual” on the Zoom chat with K’Andre Miller, the 20-year-old former Wisconsin defenseman drafted No. 22 overall in 2018.
“We were incredibly appalled by this behavior, which has no place online, on the ice, or anywhere, and we are investigating the matter,” the Rangers said in a statement.
The NHL also released a statement, saying:
“The National Hockey League is appalled that a video call arranged today by the New York Rangers to introduce their fans to one of the league’s incoming stars, K’Andre Miller, was hacked with racist, cowardly taunts.The person who committed this despicable act is in no way an NHL fan and is not welcome in the hockey community.
“No one deserves to be subjected to such ugly treatment and it will not be tolerated in our league. We join with the Rangers in condemning this disgusting behavior.”
Miller recently signed with the Rangers after completing his sophomore season at Wisconsin. The 6-foot-5 defender is from St. Paul, Minnesota.
Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba reacted to the hacking on Twitter.
“What happened today was inexcusable and cowardly,” Trouba said. “Racism has no place in the hockey community or the world. kandre-miller we are excited to have you as a part of the NYRangers and I look forward to having you as a teammate.”
Forward Ryan Strome retweeted Trouba’s post, adding:
“Couldn’t of said it better. This team and this organization sticks together. You are one of us and we have your back!”
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For more AP NHL coverage: https://apnews.com/NHL and https://twitter.com/AP-Sports
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