Zero tolerance

THE CANADIAN PRESS

BATHURST, N.B. -- A hockey player in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League has been suspended for inappropriate comments that were directed at a player who is black.

A description of the incident in a list of suspensions and fines on the league's website says Gatineau Olympiques forward Samuel Courtemanche has been suspended for two games for "racial taunts, gestures and slurs."

A news release says the Quebec team has also been fined $500 and the 19-year-old Olympiques player must make a formal apology to 18-year-old left winger Ludovic Kabambi of the Acadie-Bathurst Titans.

The league says the incident happened during a league game Sunday in Bathurst.

Inappropriate comments have drawn attention in the NHL as well this month.

The NHL suspended Florida Panthers forward Krys Barch for one game last week after a linesman reportedly heard him direct a racial slur toward Montreal Canadiens defenceman P.K. Subban, who is black.

QMJHL commissioner Gilles Courteau said the league created an anti-discrimination policy in December 2006.

"Our policy is based on the principle of zero tolerance and it applies to all comments which are deemed inappropriate," he said in a news release. "All of our participants must be treated with respect and dignity."