Before taking questions about his recovery from shoulder surgery on a conference call with reporters Wednesday, Penguins winger Jake Guentzel, who grew up in Woodbury, Minn., offered thoughts of the civil unrest in his home state.
George Floyd, an black man, died at the hands of Minneapolis police on May 25.
“These last couple of months have been crazy, especially these last couple of weeks,” Guentzel said. “It’s been pretty tough. Watching the death of George Floyd was pretty disturbing. For me personally, it was even more disheartening knowing it was pretty close to home. I just want to say that my heart aches with that and everyone involved. I’m ashamed that racism still exists to this day. My eyes have definitely been opened. I’m definitely committed to educating myself and making a difference out there.”
NHL players are typically reserved with comments on social or political matters but over the past two weeks, a considerable amount of Guentzel’s peers have expressed their thoughts on this subject either through traditional or social media.
“It’s nice to see that when people have platforms, they’re using it to speak out,” Guentzel said. “Obviously, we know that it needs to end. People are just learning and educating that we need to take action for it now. It’s all been pretty tough times. Hopefully, we can all stand together.”
