Hershey Bears Defenseman Bowey Cleared by AHL: Report

In Friday night’s game four of the AHL’s Eastern Conference Finals between the Hershey Bears and Toronto Marlies, Bears defenseman, and Washington Capitals prospect, Madison Bowey received a five-minute major for elbowing the Marlies Kasperi Kapanen, as well as a game misconduct.

On the way to the dressing room, under supervision of a linesman, Bowey continued to yip at Kapenen.

According to reports early Saturday (mostly from Twitter), Bowey was being investigated by the American Hockey League for uttering a homophobic slur towards Kapenen while exiting the ice. Multiple video clips and animated gifs attempted to show the alleged slur.

Caps prospect Madison Bowey could face supplemental discipline for high hit, possible slur https://t.co/1snVsmRJwq

— NHL on NBC (@NHLonNBCSports) May 28, 2016

By early Saturday afternoon it was being reported that the AHL had opened an investigation into the potential slur, although no official announcement from the AHL had, or has, been released.

Madison Bowey’s comments to Kasperi Kapanen last night are being investigated by the American Hockey League. No timeline on a ruling yet.

— Jeff Veillette (@JeffVeillette) May 28, 2016

In case it’s not out there yet, the alleged homophobic slur by Madison Bowey against Kasperi Kapanen last night is in the hands of the AHL.

Related: Hershey Bears Advance to Second Round of Calder Cup Playoffs · Capitals’ Ilya Protas Named AHL Rookie of the Year for 2025-26 · Capitals Prospect Roundup: Hutson & Parascak Leading an Impressive Prospect Pool

— Steve Dangle Glynn (@Steve_Dangle) May 28, 2016

And finally, late Saturday, new reports emerged stating that the AHL investigation (still not officially announced) had determined that Bowey did not utter a homophobic slur, and had been cleared.

AHL cleadrs #Bears d-man Madison Bowey of wrongdoing for alleged slur. The elbow to head of #Marlies Kasperi Kapanen still under review.

— Rob Longley (@longleysunsport) May 29, 2016

No official announcement of the investigation, or the decision to clear Bowey, has come from the AHL or any of it’s representatives directly. If and when that happens we will update this story. For now it looks like this alleged incident has been reported, and resolved, in the Twitterverse.

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