Hockey is supposed to be for everyone, but it sure hasn’t felt that way the last few days.
Avalanche forward Nazem Kadri has been the victim of death threats and racist attacks online following his collision with Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington in Game 3.
Kadri, who is the fourth player of Lebanese descent to play in the NHL, answered for the first time on the ice with a hat-trick in the Avs’ 6-3 victory in Game 4. The 31-year-old center had a Post-game opportunity to answer questions about reports.
“For the haters, that was for them.”
Nazem Kadri spoke to the panel about his performance tonight in St. Louis and dealing with the threats he received after Game 3. pic.twitter.com/w88yIGm7Yf
-NHLonTNT (@NHL_On_TNT) May 24, 2022
“I know what was said is not a reflection of all the fans in St. Louis. I understand that and I want to make that clear,” Kadri said at the post-match press conference. “But for those who wasted their time sending messages like that, I feel sorry for them.”
MORE: Avalanche’s Nazem Kadri gets revenge with a Game 4 hat-trick against Blues
Kadri’s wife, Ashley, posted a thread of messages that were sent to Kadri after Game 3. You can see the multitude of disturbing and disgusting threats sent in Kadri’s direction.
Nazem Kadri’s wife shares what her family has endured for the last 48 hours via the Jazzy Kadri Instagram account.
These racist attacks are disgusting. pic.twitter.com/pLWeEs0K7y
—Mike Stephens (@mikeystephens81) May 24, 2022
The NHL has been in contact with the st louis police, who are investigating these messages. NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said in a statement that the league takes “threats made to any of our players or other club personnel seriously.”
“Somebody had contacted (the police) about some hate messages and I was able to read those messages and they were very extreme,” Kadri said. “I just tried to shake it off and they did a good job of putting me at ease, making me feel safe. I just had to worry about coming and showing up tonight.”
The Avalanche team also expressed their support for their teammate, praising him for leaving the extra “shit” behind.
“I just want to say how proud we are of (Kadri) for going through all that shit in the last couple of days,” Erik Johnson saying. “No person should have to go through that. He sure answered.”
“With what’s happened, (Kadri) has a job to do. To be able to stay focused and to be able to perform like that under the circumstances showed a lot of character, a lot of determination,” Avalanche coach Jared Bednar said. “He’s an amazing guy, a tough guy. He raised his game at the best time to show everyone what he’s made of and that’s why we’re so proud of him as a group.”
While Kadri was able to overcome the hatred directed at him with his stellar performance in Game 4, he said he understands what he can handle and feels for others who can’t handle these situations as well as he can.
“People need to be aware that these things still happen and it hurts. They hurt,” Kadri said of the racist messages. “I know a lot of people don’t have to deal with it and they may not understand what it feels like, but people are trying, which I appreciate.
“At the end of the day, I’m a good hockey player and I just try to keep my team and I try to put all of that aside. I just care about some people that maybe aren’t as tough-minded as I am and I have to get through for that scrutiny and that criticism. So I want to do the best I can to help.”
Reference-www.sportingnews.com