Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic made misogynistic comments in a private Instagram conversation that was leaked on Wednesday. Also in the conversation, Leipsic disparaged former and current teammates, including linemates Nic Dowd and Garnet Hathaway. Leipsic was exposed by the Instagram account @Angelszeee2020.
Leipsic has offered an apology of sorts.
The Panthers’ Jack Rodewald also participated in the group chat.
Leipsic says hateful things towards specific women, including harsh descriptions of their appearance. Some of the screenshots were re-posted across Twitter. Leipsic called his linemates on the fourth line, Hathaway and Dowd, “losers.” He also said of Jake Virtanen and his friends, “Easily the worst crew in the world.”
The screenshots can be seen in full via this thread on Twitter.
THREAD: Here's a compilation of the leaked messages from an Instagram group chat involving @Capitals forward Brendan Leipsic: pic.twitter.com/FCJYQlWIZ4
— kyro (@pxlitic) May 6, 2020
Screenshots of Leipsic’s comments are one of the most trending items on Reddit Hockey and Hockey Twitter.
Brendan Leipsic even called out his former teammates on the Canucks, like Virtanen, and his current teammates on the Capitals. pic.twitter.com/huuzLxwRHz
— Leah Kessel (@leahflame) May 6, 2020
This afternoon, Leipsic deleted his Instagram account.
@Angelszeee2020 deleted their account as well. @Angelszeee2020’s description in their profile read:
Just a group of pathetic beta dudes bashing completely gorgeous girls
The Capitals issued a comment confirming the comments were real. “We are aware of the unacceptable and offensive comments made by Brendan Leipsic in a private conversation on social media,” a Capitals spokesman said to The Washington Post’s Samantha Pell. “We will handle this matter internally.”
“We are aware of the unacceptable and offensive comments made by Brendan Leipsic in a private conversation on social media. We will handle this matter internally.”
– Per a Washington Capitals spokesman.
— Samantha Pell (@SamanthaJPell) May 6, 2020
Leipsic then issued an apology of sorts on his personal Twitter account.
“Yesterday my friend’s Instagram account was hacked and an individual circulated images that are representative of private conversations I was a part of,” Leipsic said. “I fully recognize how inappropriate and offensive these comments are and sincerely apologize to everyone for my actions. I am committed to learning from this and becoming a better person by taking time to determine how to move forward in an accountable, meaningful way. I am truly sorry.”
— brendan leipsic (@19LEIP) May 6, 2020
Update: The NHL has condemned Leipsic and Rodewald’s comments and says “there is no place in our league for such statements.”
“The National Hockey League strongly condemns the misogynistic and reprehensible remarks made by players Brendan Leipsic and Jack Rodewald in a private group chat that has surfaced on social media. There is no place in our League for such statements, attitudes and behavior, no matter the forum. We will address this inexcusable conduct with the clubs and players involved.”
Updates: How not to apologize, by Brendan Leipsic
75 percent of Capitals fans want Brendan Leipsic released
Brendan Leipsic’s brother Jeremy kicked off University of Manitoba’s hockey team
Capitals cut Brendan Leipsic
Headline photo: Elizabeth Kong/RMNB
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