nazem Kadri admits he crossed a line with an inappropriate gesture, and says he regrets not shaking hands with a Swiss player who has become his nemesis.
But Kadri, a Toronto Maple Leafs draft pick, categorically denied that he was the victim of a racial slur at the world junior hockey championship, adding that his religion has never been used during the sometimes tasteless trash-talking that takes place on the ice.
“No, it wasn't,” said Kadri, a practising Muslim, when asked if a comment by Swiss forward Nino Niederreiter was about his heritage or religion. “Come to think of it now, I don't really take any offence to it. It happened, but I'm not worried about it.”
Suspicion was raised after Canada's 6-1 victory over Switzerland in the semi-finals Sunday, when the Canadian forward refused to shake hands with Niederreiter. Kadri said that the Swiss forward said something that he “didn't enjoy hearing,” but he refused to repeat it to reporters. Again yesterday, he refused to disclose exactly what was said.
“I think it was a little unsportsmanlike and, at the time, I didn't feel comfortable shaking his hand,” said Kadri, who plays for the Ontario Hockey League's London Knights. “I regret it a little bit.”
Asked if he has ever heard derogatory words about his religious beliefs, Kadri said: “So far, I haven't encountered anything like that. But even if anything was said, I don't think I'd be too offended or too bothered. People have their own opinions, and that's okay with me.”
Yesterday, Niederreiter said he was unaware of Kadri's religious beliefs but stopped short of apologizing for the comment.
“I don't want to say sorry because trash-talking is part of the game,” he said. “I think that on the ice it's alright, but when it's game over, it's game over. And that's bad if you do not shake hands and say, ‘Good game.'”
An International Ice Hockey Federation spokeswoman said the incident wasn't mentioned by either Canadian or Swiss officials in a postgame meeting of the tournament's executive governing body.
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