Blackhawks ban fans who taunted Capitals' Devante Smith-Pelly from United Center

The four fans who heckled Capitals winger Devante Smith-Pelly with a racially charged chant have been banned from United Center.

"Racist comments and other inappropriate behavior are not tolerated by the Chicago Blackhawks," the team said in a statement released Monday.

The four spectators were ejected from Chicago's United Center during Saturday's 7-1 Blackhawks victory.

Officials heard fans taunting Smith-Pelly, a 25-year-old Toronto native, by repeatedly yelling the word "basketball." The implication is that because Smith-Pelly is black, he should be playing on the hardwood instead of the ice.

"There's absolutely no place in the game of hockey or in our country for racism," Capitals coach Barry Trotz said following the game. "I think it's disgusting."

Smith-Pelly, who had 12:50 of ice time Saturday, heard the taunt and got up to confront one fan through the glass but was quickly turned around by the penalty box attendant.

Two Smith-Pelly GIFs. First, you can see him hear someone say something to him, and he looks over at them. pic.twitter.com/LvwUgFl7AL
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 18, 2018

Next, he clearly has had enough of whatever is being said, gets up to address the fans. pic.twitter.com/VLu4qHSSMy
— Evan Sporer (@ev_sporer) February 18, 2018

"Athletes in our country don't deserve that," Trotz added. "It just shows ignorance."

Smith-Pelly echoed his coach's sentiment and said the "racially charged chanting" was "disgusting."

"I think you can tell by my reaction I got pretty upset," Smith-Pelly said, adding the "few ignorant idiots" crossed the line. "It's sad that in 2018 we're still talking about the same thing over and over... You'd think there'd be some sort of change or progression."

Devante Smith-Pelly on the incident last night in Chicago. pic.twitter.com/Oz9qfFWMQH
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) February 18, 2018

The Blackhawks issued a statement on Saturday, calling the comments directed toward Smith-Pelly "harmful."

"The fans were immediately removed and we apologize to Smith-Pelly and the Washington Capitals organization," the team said. "We are committed to providing an inclusive environment for everyone who attends out games and these actions will never be tolerated."

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman released a statement Sunday, calling it "unacceptable and reprehensible behavior."

"The National Hockey League condemns this unacceptable and reprehensible behavior," Bettman said "The League fully supports the actions taken by the United Center and the Blackhawks to eject the offenders and would expect the same response to any similarly unacceptable behavior at any of our arenas.

"While this incident was isolated in nature, no player, coach, official or fan should ever have to endure such abuse at one of our games. The League will take steps to have our clubs remind all stakeholders that they are entitled to enjoy a positive environment — free from unacceptable, inappropriate, disruptive, inconsiderate or unruly behaviors or actions and may not engage in conduct deemed detrimental to that experience."