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Vanbiesbrouck quits after using racial slur

Thursday, March 13, 2003


SAULT STE. MARIE, Ontario (AP) -- Former NHL goalie John Vanbiesbrouck is stepping down as coach and general manager of the Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds after admitting he used a racial slur to describe a black player.
Greyhounds captain Trevor Daley quit the Ontario Hockey League team and returned home to Toronto on Saturday after being told that Vanbiesbrouck used the slur while talking to other players.
"I used the 'N' word instead of calling him Trevor," Vanbiesbrouck, who owns 25 percent of the team, told the Sault Ste. Marie Star on Sunday. "I used it just not thinking.
"It's a mistake and consequences have to be paid by me. Trevor's not wrong in this thing. ... I've embarrassed everybody and my family by this one comment. It's not what they represent and it's not what the Sault Greyhounds organization represents."
Vanbiesbrouck said he'll resign as early as today, while the 19-year-old Daley -- a second-round draft pick of the Dallas Stars -- is scheduled to meet with OHL commissioner Dave Branch.
More than once
Vanbiesbrouck, who finished his 20-year NHL career last season with the New Jersey Devils, made the racial slurs Friday night while visiting the home of players Mike Amodeo and Jeff Doyle after a 6-1 loss to Guelph.
Vanbiesbrouck admitted he used the slur "more than once."
"I told Trev this is an old wound with me," Vanbiesbrouck said. "I grew up with it. I'm as sorry as anybody that it's stuck with me. I don't think I've used the word or even thought about it ..."
Bobby Orr, the Hall of Famer player who represents Daley, said he was disgusted by the incident. Orr said as soon as Daley told him of the slur, he instructed Daley to "go home."
"I think like most people, when you hear racial slurs like that, it made me sick," Orr said. "I know Trevor Daley and Trevor's one of our kids and he's a wonderful young man and there's no place for racial slurs like that anywhere, any time."
Orr said he was not sure if Daley will return to the team.