By BEN NAGLE

Published: 01:02 GMT, 8 March 2025 | Updated: 01:05 GMT, 8 March 2025

A Russian hockey player on the roster of the Tampa Bay Lightning has been suspended 10 games for using what has been termed 'racially insensitive language' towards an opponent.

Maxim Groshev is currently playing for the American Hockey League team Syracuse Crunch, and the incident occurred in a game on Saturday against Rochester.

Because Groshev, 23, already sat out one game, he will be eligible to return to play March 30.

He also can appeal the remainder of his suspension after eight games if he takes part in the NHL's Player Inclusion Coalition and makes what is deemed by AHL President and CEO Scott Howson as sufficient progress in the training program.

'The American Hockey League is committed to building a culture that is safe, inclusive, and free from abuse, harassment and all forms of unethical behavior or misconduct, and believes that individual inclusion learning is a key element of improving league-wide culture,' the league said in a statement.

The Tampa Bay Lightning selected Groshev in the third round of the 2020 draft. This is his second season with the Lightning's top minor-league affiliate.

Maxim Groshev is pictured during an NHL preseason game for the Tampa Bay Lightning

He has five goals and six assists in 46 games this season. Groshev registered 10 goals and 20 assists in 67 games last season.

He has yet to play a regular-season game for the Lightning, and the exact details of the alleged 'racially insensitive' comment has not been made public.

The recipient of his comments is also not currently known.

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