Another Chicago Blackhawks affiliate team dealing with a scandal

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C. Ritchie
March 11, 2022 (6:49 PM)

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The Chicago Blackhawks are no stranger to behind the scenes incidents, and another one within their organization has come to light. Friday morning, the ECHL affiliate of the Blackhawks released a statement about an incident that had occurred earlier in the season. The Indy Fuel stated that one of their staff members had made an insensitive remark around a black player.

«A member of the Indy Fuel's staff was overheard making a statement regarding the confederate flag in Liam's presence that made him uncomfortable and was perceived as insensitive»

The player in question is Liam Folkes, who was assigned to the Indy Fuel at the beginning of the season. No specific date was given from when the incident took place. Below is the Indy Fuel's full statement.

There was no information on the actual timeline of the independent investigation or other findings. The Fuel stated that the exact nature of the incident could not be substantiated through their findings, but it did affect Liam Folkes negatively. Folkes also responded to the Indy Fuel's statement via twitter.

I would Iike to thank the Chicago Blackhawks, the Indy Fuel and the ECHL for their response and action towards the event that took place. The whole process was handled with the utmost professionalism and care.

My hope is that in making this incident public it will help continue to raise awareness that these types of remarks are insensitive and unacceptable. From the beginning of this wanted to turn this negative incident into positive educational moment to move the message forward.

I am looking forward to continuing my hockey career.

Any further inquiries can be forwarded to my agent: [email protected]

The Indy Fuel traded Folkes to the Maine Mariners in February and since joining the team he has collected 3 points in 6 games. Here's hoping he can get his career back on track and focus on hockey again.