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College ice hockey

Michigan State hockey's Jagger Joshua says Ohio State player used racial slurs

Nathaniel Bott
Lansing State Journal

Michigan State senior hockey player Jagger Joshua released a statement on Twitter Monday night claiming that an Ohio State player used a racial slur on multiple occasions during the Spartans' Nov. 11 game against the Buckeyes.

Joshua says that a game official overheard the slur and issued a game misconduct to the Ohio player.

Ohio State's Kamil Sadlocha received a game misconduct at the 10:39 mark of the second period in that game. Sadlocha played in both of the Buckeyes' games against Notre Dame the following weekend.

Joshua said in his statement that the Big Ten had conducted an investigation in the days after the incident but that no action had been taken by the league.

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"The inaction has left me feeling confused and pessimistic about the movement of diversity within hockey culture," Joshua said in his statement. "The ignorance of racism does not belong in our game, and I feel that I need to make people aware that this incident occurred. Because without acknowledgement, the problem gets worse."

Michigan State's Jagger Joshua, right, and Mitchell Lewandowski celebrate teammate Nicolas Muller's goal against Arizona State in 2021.

Joshua's older brother, Dakota, played four seasons with the Buckeyes and is currently a member of the Vancouver Canucks. Sadlocha redshirted in his first season when Dakota Joshua was a senior.

“Michigan State Athletics stands with Jagger Joshua, and commends him for having the courage to speak up against racial injustice," Michigan State athletics director Alan Haller said in a statement Monday evening. "As a department, we are committed to providing opportunities for all student-athletes to compete in a space free from discrimination, racism or hate.”

Joshua is the Spartans' leading goal scorer this season, netting a career-best six goals in 14 games.

“At Michigan State, we are committed to a safe and welcoming space for our student-athletes," hockey coach Adam Nightingale said. "It is important to me that all student athletes feel comfortable and supported in our locker room and in our program. I am proud to have Jagger Joshua on our team.”

Contact Nathaniel Bott at nbott@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @Nathaniel_Bott

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