‘Does He Speak English?’ Junior Hockey Broadcaster Removed From Call After Racist Comment, Banned From Future Events
An ill-advised comment went over badly for broadcaster Bruce MacDonald during a Junior A British Columbia Hockey League last Friday, asking if an opposing player spoke English.
The remark was made during a playoff game between the Alberni Valley Bulldogs and the Langley Rivermen when Rivermen forward Owen Kim got into a scuff with a Bulldog player — leading to Bulldogs color commentator Macdonald to say the following:
“Aw, Kim, give him a break. Get on a ladder and talk to him. Anyway, push the pace, they’re going to draw penalties for sure. Does he speak English? Maybe that’s the problem.”
I don’t care what anyone says, this is inexcusable. Do better. https://t.co/eELn0Pp29H pic.twitter.com/EpLknF0s93
— Mac Guardiero (@MacGuardiero) April 23, 2022
His broadcast partner, Evan Hammond, quickly jumped in, “Okay, come on now, that’s too far.”
MacDonald then agreed “Okay, that’s wrong, that’s too far,” but too little too late as the damage was done as the BC Hockey league quickly released a statement on the incident, announcing his removal from all future league events.
BCHL and Alberni Valley Bulldogs statement regarding a racist comment on tonight’s broadcast. pic.twitter.com/X23QvZYnaF
— BCHL (@BCHockeyLeague) April 23, 2022
The carrier of the broadcast, 93.3 The Peak out of Alberni, also released a statement of their own Friday.
93.3 The Peak’s statement on tonight’s @AVBulldogs broadcast. pic.twitter.com/IWVZ7bNiAh
— 93.3 The Peak (@933thepeak) April 23, 2022
Finally, the perpetrator himself, Macdonald, issued a statement the next morning, giving a heartfelt apology to the Kim family and the BCHL community.
To @BCHockeyLeague @LangleyRivermen @AVBulldogs @Hebbsy @HamWilder @dpmichaud pic.twitter.com/2595GbbRes
— Bruce MacDonald (@brucemacpro) April 23, 2022
