NHL and teams react to George Floyd’s killer Derek Chauvin’s verdict in Minneapolis

Alleluia. The former Minneapolis Police officer who kneeled on George Floyd’s neck for over 9 minutes last year was found guilty of murder and manslaughter on Tuesday in one of the most consequential trials of the Black Lives Matter era.

On Tuesday, Derek Chauvin was convicted on charges of second-degree unintentional murder, third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter. The jury deliberated for more than 10 hours over two days in coming to their decision.

The sentencing will come later on however Chauvin could face up to 40 years in prison for second-degree murder, up to 25 years for third-degree murder and up to 10 years for second-degree manslaughter. 

This verdict comes about 11 months after excruciating bystander video showed Chauvin impassively kneeling on the neck and back of Floyd, handcuffed and lying prone on the street, for  9 minutes and 29 seconds back on May 25, 2020. Under the officer’s knees, the Black man gasped for air, repeatedly crying “I can’t breathe” and ultimately went silent.

Chauvin had no apparent reaction to the guilty verdict, but so many people are celebrating the verdict and this includes the NHL. 

Once the verdict was announced, the NHL posted this statement as people are celebrating in the streets of Minneapolis and across the world. 

“While we hope the end of trial offers a chance for healing, we remain committed to actively engaging in the movement for equality and we invite our fans to join us in supporting systemic change.”

Earlier in 2020 and during the summer’s postseason, the Hockey Diversity Alliance was created – a group including Evander Kane of the San Jose Sharks and Matt Dumba of the Minnesota Wild. It hopes to “to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey” and we bet they are celebrating this verdict today as well. 

NHL teams have also made statements online following the verdict. 

Floyd's family needs to heal. We all need to heal and get better as humans.