In the latest piece of fallout from former Calgary Flames player Akim Aliu breaking his silence about the racism he experienced in his career, the Colorado Avalanche have placed a staffer from their AHL affiliate on administrative leave after a photo surfaced of the staffer wearing blackface at a 2011 Halloween party, according to ESPN.
Tony Deynzer, the head equipment manager of the Colorado Eagles, wore blackface, an Afro-style wig and an Eagles jersey with Aliu’s “Dreamer” nickname to the party, Aliu told the Wall Street Journal.
Aliu said he was invited to the Eagles’ Halloween party shortly after joining the team, but was reportedly told to come “a little bit later.