SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Tampa Bay Lightning, Syracuse Crunch and Daniel Walcott have released the below statements regarding the Dec. 18 game in Bridgeport and subsequent two-game suspension by the American Hockey League.
 
Tampa Bay Lightning:
 
"The Tampa Bay Lightning and our affiliates do not condone the use of offensive, insensitive or inappropriate language of any kind by our players, employees or management. That said, we acknowledge the very poor choice of words made by Daniel Walcott in the Syracuse Crunch game against the Bridgeport Sound Tigers earlier this week. We do not believe this language is emblematic of Daniel as a person, but respectfully accept his suspension by the American Hockey League. We apologize to anyone offended and will work internally with Daniel to ensure this does not happen again."
 
Syracuse Crunch:
 
"Like our partners in Tampa Bay, the Syracuse Crunch organization does not condone this type of conduct from any of our players, coaches or staff members. We know Daniel to be an individual of high character who has made positive contributions to the Syracuse community during his career with the team, but his language during the game in Bridgeport was inappropriate and unacceptable. We respect the actions taken by the American Hockey League with regards to the suspension announced today."
 
Daniel Walcott:
 
"I am very sorry for my words in the game against Bridgeport and I apologize to anyone that I may have offended. I pride myself in being a team leader and a leader in the community and I realize actions like these are not only inappropriate, but offensive and hurtful. Moving forward, I will work to be better on and off the ice, as a player and as a person that the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Syracuse Crunch are proud to have on their roster."