What do you call the first black American to play in the NHL?
Valmore James (born February 14, 1957) was the first native born Floridian to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). That’s obviously not why he made this list.
In 1981, he made his debut for the Buffalo Sabres. Val James became the first black American to play in hockey’s biggest league. Approaching the arena, he cried. He didn’t cry because he was happy, though. A mob had gathered outside the bus. They were shouting and refusing to let the bus pass. A beer bottle cracked the front windshield of the bus.
They were shouting, “Send out the nigger.”
Though born in Florida, he grew up in Long Island, NY where he learned to skate and play hockey while his dad worked at a local ice rink. He received his first pair of skates at age 13 and by age 16, he moved to Canada to play hockey. He became well-known in his career as an enforcer. He was one of the hardest hitting fighters and had a powerful hip check.
For his entire career, cut short by a shoulder injury, Valmore James faced racism from his opponents and from fans. He never faltered, though. The kid from Long Island kept playing the game he loved for fans that hated him.
At a game in Springfield, Massachusetts, fans tossed bananas onto the ice — a way of calling James a monkey.
One of James’ teammates called him the “one of the nicest guys you’d want to meet”. Drunk hockey fans just called him “the nigger”.
TL;DR
- Val James was the first black American to play in the NHL.
- He was a hard-hitting enforcer on the ice and an incredibly nice guy off the ice.
- He faced violent racism his entire career.
What You Should Do Now:
- If you can, read Black Ice, James’ autobiography.
- Read up on Willie O’Ree, the first black NHL player.
28 Days of Inspirational Black People:
- Ed Brooke
- Blanche Bruce
- Andrew Young
- Denys Cowan
- Antoine Fuqua
- John Singleton
- Countee Cullen
- Dennis Kimetto
- Robert Hayden
- Lee Daniels
- Anthony Mackie/Falcon
Photo/ Erie Blades