I too eat and breathe hockey and had no clue. Very facinating post. I just might go and see what I might possibly dig up on here and the library to learn more.
I'd heard about this (I interviewed Herb Carnegie once when I was in high school and he'd spoken about this a bit, and Willie O'Ree makes a point of bringing this stuff up when he can), but I didn't realize how much of a going concern it really was. Hater, in answer to your question, I think it's as much socio-economic as anything. Growing up in North Toronto, the league makeup wasn't lily-white. Pretty much every kid at least tried hockey, and the leagues reflected what I always saw as the actual ethnic breakdown of the area. But I was a kid at the time, so I could be totally wrong. But the vast majority of Canada is way whiter than Toronto, and that might have your answer. There are pockets of non-Anglo culture outside the cities (the Maritimes is a big one, though there are others), but if you're drawing your talent (as the NHL mostly did, in a relatively narrow way, up until about 20 years ago) from the established channels in the Canadian heartland, you're going to get a lot of white dudes, and very few Tony McKegneys & Jarome Iginlas. This seems to have changed, probably and hopefully forever, and I hope and expect the NHL will only do a better job of reflecting the growing diversity of the people who pay to see the games. It's happening. Thanks for the links, Amateur.
This is completely new to me, and I can't wait to read more about it. I wish he hadn't mentioned the midget goaltender, though. Don't get me wrong, I love midgets and all, but for some reason mentioning midget goaltenders automatically lessens the import of an article.
Cats and dudes? Cool, mo fo.
>Just curious anyone know the first black NHL player? Willie O'Ree, Boston Bruins, 1950s. (Someone mentioned him, but I want to make sure you've got your answer.)
Is this imprtant just because they were black and were forgotten, or because they were black, played really good hockey, and were forgotten?
A little from column A, a little from column B?
Thanks for the answer Phil.
Thrilled these men are getting some long overdue recognition. Excellent FPP Amateur, Thanks.
That's what I thought Weedy. No matter which way you slice it, it's still a part of the history of the game, and should be told.
