Nigerian-born hockey player Akim Aliu reveals another racist episode from the minor leagues

Akim Aliu, the Nigerian-born hockey player whose accusations of racism against coach Bill Peters led to his recent resignation from the Calgary Flames, has revealed another racist episode in which a minor league equipment manager dressed in blackface at a team Halloween party in 2011.

In interviews with both the Wall Street Journal and TMZ, the 30-year-old journeyman player described being confronted at the party by Colorado Eagles equipment manager Tony Deynzer, who was said to be dressed as Aliu.

As seen in pictures that were purportedly taken at the party, Deynzer is wearing black face paint, a curly black wig, and a Colorado Eagles replica jersey with ‘Dreamer’ emblazoned on the back – a reference to Aliu’s nickname on the team.

Akim Aliu has revealed several instances of racism drom his lengthy minor league hockey career. He played briefly for the NHL's Calgary Flames (pictured), but most recently played professionally in Russia

Akim Aliu, the Nigerian-born hockey player whose accusations of racism against coach Bill Peters led to his recent resignation from the Calgary Flames, has revealed another racist episode in which a minor league equipment manager dressed in blackface at a team Halloween party in 2011. In interviews with both the Wall Street Journal and TMZ , the 30-year-old journeyman player described being confronted at the party by Colorado Eagles equipment manager Tony Deynzer, who was said to be dressed as Aliu.

As seen in pictures from the party, Deynzer is wearing black face paint, a curly black wig, and a Colorado Eagles replica jersey with 'Dreamer' emblazoned on the back – a reference to Aliu's nickname on the team. Aliu told TMZ he only agreed to the picture to avoid causing a scene at a team party that included players' friends, spouses, and children (baby, lower right)

As seen in pictures from the party, Deynzer is wearing black face paint, a curly black wig, and a Colorado Eagles replica jersey with ‘Dreamer’ emblazoned on the back – a reference to Aliu’s nickname on the team. Aliu told TMZ he only agreed to the picture to avoid causing a scene at a team party that included players’ friends, spouses, and children (baby, lower right) 

After learning about the Halloween party, Aliu explained, he was specifically told to arrive ‘a little bit later.’

When he did get to the party, Deynzer emerged from around a corner.

‘Guys just started laughing,’ Aliu told the Journal.

As he told TMZ, Aliu was particularly hurt by the forethought that went into the racist costume.

‘The hardest thing about that … just how much planning went into that,’ Aliu said. ‘He got my jersey made, so that means this was planned in advance.’

A stoic Aliu did pose for a picture with the smiling Deynzer at the party, but explained to TMZ he only agreed to that to avoid causing a scene at a team party that included players’ friends, spouses, and children.

‘I tried to play it off as cool as possible,’ he said.

Aliu says he ultimately demanded a trade from the team.

On Wednesday, the Eagles issued a public apology to Aliu: ‘We are truly very sorry, and we will also assure you that this behavior is not and never will be acceptable in our organization.’

Despite the team apology, Deynzer is still listed as the team’s equipment manager on the website.  

Tony Deynzer is still listed as the team's equipment manager on the website

Tony Deynzer is still listed as the team’s equipment manager on the website

Aliu, who had a brief stint in the NHL and last played professionally in Russia, previously made news in late November when he revealed that Peters had directed the n-word at him while they were in the Chicago Blackhawks minor league system with the Rockford IceHogs of the American Hockey League during the 2008-09 and 2009-10 seasons.

As Liu explained on Twtiter, Peters ‘dropped the N bomb several times towards me in the dressing room in my rookie year because he didn’t like my choice of music.’

Aliu said he ‘rebelled against him,’ and Peters responded by asking Blackhawks executives John McDonough and Stan Bowman to send Aliu to a lower minor league level.

The tweet did not name Peters, but referred to a ‘protege’ of fired Toronto coach Mike Babcock’s who is now in Calgary. Babcock has been a mentor to Peters since Babcock coached him in college.

A former second-round pick of the Blackhawks, Aliu was demoted to the Toledo Walleye of the ECHL during the 2009-10 season. Aliu, who was born in Africa but raised in Ukraine and Canada, later played seven NHL games over two seasons with Calgary.

Peters resigned in Calgary following a team investigation into the matter. 

Bill Peters resigned in Calgary following a team investigation into Aliu's accusations of racism

Bill Peters resigned in Calgary following a team investigation into Aliu’s accusations of racism

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