HUNTERSVILLE, NC (March 6, 2019) – The Southern Professional Hockey League (SPHL) on Wednesday announced Jesse Schwartz of the Roanoke Rail Yard Dawgs has been suspended under the provisions of SPHL Rule 28, Supplementary Discipline, for the balance of the 2018-2019 regular season and playoffs as a result of an inappropriate gesture directed toward Quad City’s Al Graves in the third period of their game on Saturday, March 2.
While Mr. Schwartz may not have intended his gesture to be offensive and has since apologized for his actions, the SPHL will not tolerate incidents of this nature. As a league that welcomes all forms of diversity among its coaches, players, staff and fans, the SPHL must hold players responsible for their actions in order to provide a league free of intolerance, racial or otherwise.
