Same league where Jalen Smereck was subjected to racism signs QMJHL player facing sex assault charges

The Ukrainian Hockey League seems to be willing to take on and keep players with baggage. Just a few weeks after an incident where black American Jalen Smereck was subjected to a racist taunt during a UHL game, one of the teams in the league has signed Nicolas Daigle, a player who is currently under suspension by the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

Former QMJHL forward Nicolas Daigle, who was charged with sexual assault this summer, has signed with HC Rulav Oddr of the [UHL]," said World Hockey Report on Twitter. "The same league governed by @IIHFHockey that failed to appropriately punish Andrey Deniskin for his racist actions towards
@jalen_smereck."

Daigle and teammate Massimo Siciliano of the Victoriaville Tigres were both suspended indefinitely after being charged with sexual assault and filming the alleged incident that reportedly took place at a party in June. Daigle is also facing two charges for sharing images of the alleged victim.

Deniskin, referenced in the Tweet from World Hockey Report, was suspended for a total of 13 games and fined after pretending to peel and eat a banana after a scuffle involving Smereck during a game back in September. Many felt the punishment was far too light, including Smereck, who left the league and now plays in Germany's DEL. The UHL and IIHF were heavily criticized for taking the incident too lightly. Meanwhile, Eugene Kolychev, who was the GM of the UHL at the time, was fired days after the incident. He claimed it was because he wanted a stiffer penalty for Deniskin and also because he had spoken out regarding racism in the league before.

Daigle, 19, was in his fourth season in the QMJHL before he was suspended indefinitely.

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