Indigenous NHL player Whitecloud accepts broadcaster’s apology for ‘toilet paper’ comment

Manitoba-born Indigenous hockey player has accepted an apology from an American sportscaster after he mocked his last name during an NHL playoff broadcast.

Broadcaster John Anderson made a demeaning joke about Whitecould, who plays for the Vegas Golden Knights, during ESPN’s flagship SportsCenter show after Monday night’s game against the Edmonton Oilers.

Whitecloud, who grew up in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation in southwestern Manitoba, scored his first goal in that game, which Vegas won 5-1.

During the highlights on ESPN’s SporstCenter, Anderson says, “what kind of a name is Whitecloud? Great name if you’re a toilet paper.” Anderson released a statement shortly after the show and has since apologized to Whitecloud.

“I just wanted to reiterate to him that I was going to be first person to reach out my hand and offer help because people make mistakes and it’s just a time to learn,” Whitecloud said.

READ: Manitoba First Nation backing home talent over Jets in NHL playoff series

The 26-year-old, whose father is a band councillor in Sioux Valley Dakota Nation, is the first Indigenous NHL player from his hometown.

“I’m incredibly proud of my culture and where I was raised, how I was raised,” said the NHLer. “Again, I accepted John’s apology and I think that is what I want everyone to know is that we’re going to try and learn from it and move forward in the right direction.”

Manitoba Chiefs: comment was discriminatory, racist 

Stephane Friday, co-founder of Hockey Indigenous, says incidents like these don’t just happen on the big stage, but in all leagues across the board.

“I see these kids just being discouraged all the time,” said Friday. “They’re frustrated, angry, some of them get emotional, a lot of them are heartbroken. Some kids may be strong, but they do become emotional about it.

“I’m over it. It’s just tiring.”

During the Vegas-Edmonton highlight on SportsCenter, John Anderson jokes about Zach Whitecloud's name, saying it's a "great name if you're a toilet paper."

Whitecloud is the first Indigenous NHL player from the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation. pic.twitter.com/gngA1yg8wk

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) May 9, 2023

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) called out Anderson for the comment, calling it racist.

“I am truly disheartened that such an incredible role model for Indigenous youth has had to endure such inappropriate commentary as he did last night,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick in a statement.

“Zach is the first hockey player from his First Nation to make it to the NHL, and so many youths look up to him and have hopes and dreams of also being in the NHL one day. So many First Nations youth play hockey across Canada; it is a sport that brings us together. Yet we continue to see discrimination and racism in the NHL community at all levels.”

???? Zach Whitecloud speaks on his pride for his heritage. ???? pic.twitter.com/3j5pIQT120

— Vegas Golden Knights (@GoldenKnights) May 9, 2023

‘It’s just wrong’ 

This week the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships are taking place in Winnipeg. It’s a tournament several current and former

NHLers have participated in, including Whitecloud. The annual event provides a forum for elite women and men First Nations, Inuit, and Metis players from across the country.

“It’s just wrong,” said tournament chair Jeff Spencer. “We’re in 2023 and I just can’t believe the ignorance of people.”

Spencer says he doesn’t want to see young Indigenous hockey players get discouraged by incidents like these.

“There’s an opportunity. They have goals and dreams, and you can reach it,” said Spencer. “These guys have. The door is opening for you and the more of our young people that get out like that, Brandon (Montour), Zach (Whitecloud), Ethan (Bear), the more these guys see that there is an opportunity, so that’s great.”

CityNews reached out to Whitecloud’s family, who said they wish to put the incident behind them and focus on watching their son compete for the Stanley Cup.