Milbury said in a statement that he didn’t want his “recent remark” — he said during Thursday’s Capitals-Islanders game that it was nice that no women were around the Toronto bubble to “disrupt” players’ concentration — to interfere with those players’ focus.
From The Associated Press’ Stephen Whyno:
Milbury apologized for the comment Friday, saying he was trying to be “irreverent.” Critics, including multiple female media members, viewed the comment as openly sexist and just the latest example of Milbury’s and longtime hockey men’s mysogyny. Both NBC and the NHL were disapproving of Milbury’s remark.
MORE: SN’s predictions, picks for Round 2
Milbury was not on the air for Friday’s game in Toronto between the Flyers and Canadiens. Ed Olczyk replaced him in the analyst role. NBC did not immediately announce broadcast teams for the second round of the playoffs, which begins Saturday.
The 68-year-old Milbury has a history of insensitive comments during his TV career. Canadian newspaper The National Post listed incidents in 2009, 2011 and 2012 as a sample. Last week, Milbury was harshly criticized for belittling Bruins goaltender Tuukka Rask, who left the bubble in the middle of a series. It was later revealed Rask left to be with his family.
