An Ohio State men's hockey player is away from the team after being accused of using a racial slur against a Michigan State player.
In a statement announcing the move, Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith also apologized to Michigan State player Jagger Joshua, who said in a social media post that an Ohio State received a game misconduct penalty after a referee overheard him using a slur directed at Joshua.
The box score that day shows Ohio State senior forward Kamil Sadlocha was the only player given a game misconduct.
“No student or student-athlete should experience hatred or racism, and everyone should feel welcome. I have spoken with Michigan State Athletic Director Alan Haller, and I’m thankful Jagger is getting the support he needs," Smith said.
The statement said Sadlocha “is returning home and will not practice or compete at this time.”
A statement from the Big Ten offered support for Joshua and the referees involved, but said the conference would not hand down any punishment.
“The conference supports the decision by the official to levy a game misconduct penalty on OSU. Due to the absence of indisputable evidence presented to the conference, the conference has not imposed further disciplinary action.”
Joshua is the younger brother of former Ohio State forward Dakota Joshua, who played with Sadlocha before moving on the NHL.