Kings winger Sean Avery denies ever directing a racial slur at Oilers tough guy Georges Laraque in a game this week.
Laraque, who is black, told reporters in Edmonton on Thursday that Avery called him a “monkey” during Tuesday’s game in Los Angeles.
“(He) fabricated the whole thing,” Avery (above) said in Friday’s edition of the Los Angeles Times.
Laraque, who is black, told reporters in Edmonton on Thursday that Avery called him a “monkey” during Tuesday’s game in Los Angeles.
“I have no idea why he would do that,” he added. “I heard about it after the game and was surprised.”
Laraque was singing a different tune Thursday.
“I knew the league wouldn’t be able to do anything because there were no witnesses, but you want to tell them in case it ever happens in the future,” Laraque told reporters in Edmonton, standing by his story. “I’m not deaf.
“I heard it or I wouldn’t have (reported it). This is pretty serious stuff, something you don’t play around with.”.
Avery was admonished by the NHL last month for comments he made regarding French players who play a tough game but wear visors, after Phoenix’s Denis Gauthier levelled teammate Jeremy Roenick.
Avery said the play was “typical of most French guys in our league with a visor on, running around and playing tough but not backing anything up.”
Laraque’s Oilers dropped to 3-2 on the season, losing tonight in Edmonton to Dallas, 3-2.