Racist remarks directed towards Edmonton Oilers defenceman Ethan Bear are “totally unacceptable and disgusting,” the team’s general manager says.

Vile remarks across social media platforms were directed towards the Ochapowace First Nation member following the surprising four-game sweep of the Oilers by the Winnipeg Jets in the first round of the National Hockey League playoffs this week. The posts and comments were condemned Wednesday by the National Hockey League, the Oilers and players across the league.

“There’s no place in our world for racism,” Oilers GM Ken Holland said Wednesday at a year-end press conference.

“Ethan’s an unbelievable young man, a tremendous role model for young athletes, especially in the Indigenous community. He’s popular in the locker room, focused, determined, committed. I feel sick for him that he would get this kind of abuse.”

The NHL issued a statement Wednesday saying it stood with Bear and his family in denouncing hate. “He, and all people from Indigenous backgrounds, deserve to feel empowered and respected on and off the ice,” the statement said.

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations executive had called for the Oilers and the NHL to speak out against “the disgusting and horrific racist comments” directed towards Bear.

“The blatantly racist comments being posted on social media this week are disgusting and these individuals must take responsibility for the harm they are causing the sport and the First Nations community” said FSIN vice chief Heather Bear, who also happens to be the aunt of Ethan Bear.

FSIN Chief Bobby Cameron said Ethan Bear has “gone above and beyond for the First Nations community and is a positive role model for our youth. He regularly returns to Ochapowace to inspire the next generation of hockey players.

“We all must stand up for our First Nations players and call out racism for all hockey players, at the top level to the ones just learning to love the game. This is unacceptable and silence only perpetuates the hate.”

In a video posted to the Edmonton Oilers Twitter account, Bear said he appreciates the support he’s received and wants to stand up to the comments.

“I’m proud of where I come from. I’m proud to be from Ochapowace First Nation. And I’m not just doing this for myself, I’m doing this for all people of colour,” Bear says.

“I’m doing this for the next generation. To help make change. To love one another, to support one another, to be kind to each other. There’s no place for racism in our communities, in sports or in our workplace. So I call on all of us to help make change and to end racism. We all deserve to be treated fairly and I think we’ll get there.”

— With Postmedia files

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