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Monthly Archives: October 2016

What’s it like to be young, gifted and white in the NBA? ‘The Undefeated’ explores

26 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by William Douglas in Uncategorized

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ESPN, NBA, The Undefeated

We at the Color of Hockey are dedicated to chronicling what it’s like for minority players in a majority-white sport.

But what about the flip side? What’s it like to be a white athlete in a sport dominated by minority players?

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ESPN’s The Undefeated, a platform dedicated to the intersection of race and sports, explores the question in a wonderful read by Marc J. Spears on the paucity of American-born white players in the National Basketball Association.

The @NBA season starts w/43 white Americans on 30 squads. Find out what it's like to be one of them. https://t.co/7Gp2GFIQ5Z pic.twitter.com/DOgOck4zRb

— The Undefeated (@TheUndefeated) October 25, 2016

White American NBA players appear to be going the way of the water buffalo. The bulk of the league’s Caucasian talent hail from European countries – think Dirk Nowitzki or Dario Saric.

There used to be lots of white American NBA stars – Larry Bird, “Pistol” Pete Maravich, John Havlicek, Bill Walton, Jerry West, “Thunder” Dan Majerle, Kevin McHale. Today, not so much.

Anyway, take the time and give The Undefeated article a read. Then come back to hockey.

 

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Here’s a look at NHL diversity, the next generation

20 Thursday Oct 2016

Posted by William Douglas in Uncategorized

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Boston Bruins, Buffalo Sabres, Joshua Ho-Sang, Justin Bailey, Madison Bowey, Malcolm Subban, Washington Capitals

We’ve taken a look at diversity in the National Hockey League at the start of the 2016-17 season. Now let’s take a peek at the future.

A growing number of players color have been drafted by NHL teams in recent years. Several of them are currently playing for the minor league affiliates of the NHL teams that drafted them or skating for the major junior teams they were chosen from.

Some players drafted between 2012 and 2016, like defensemen Seth Jones and Darnell Nurse, have made to the NHL.

A few – like goaltender Malcolm Subban, forwards  Jujhar Khaira and Justin Bailey, and defenseman Oliver Kylington – have logged a few NHL games.

And others, like forward Joshua Ho-Sang, have the potential to be called up to the parent club this season. So here’s a look at NHL diversity, the next generation.

 

Oliver Kylington, D, Calgary Flames 2015 2nd-round pick.

Oliver Kylington, D, Calgary Flames 2015 2nd-round pick.

Jujhar Khaira, F, Edmonton Oilers, 3rd-round, 2012.

Jujhar Khaira, F, Edmonton Oilers, 3rd-round, 2012.

Gemel Smith, F, Dallas Stars, 4th-round, 2012.

Gemel Smith, F, Dallas Stars, 4th-round, 2012.

Malcolm Subban, G, Boston Bruins, 1st-round, 2012.

Malcolm Subban, G, Boston Bruins, 1st-round, 2012.

Tyrell Goulbourne, F, Philadelphia Flyers, 3rd-round, 2013.

Tyrell Goulbourne, F, Philadelphia Flyers, 3rd-round, 2013.

Jonathan Ang, F, Florida Panthers, 4th-round, 2016.

Jonathan Ang, F, Florida Panthers, 4th-round, 2016.

Givani Smith, F, Detroit Red Wings, 2nd-round, 2016.

Givani Smith, F, Detroit Red Wings, 2nd-round, 2016.

Evan Rodrigues, F, Buffalo Sabres, free agent signee 2015-16.

Evan Rodrigues, F, Buffalo Sabres, free agent signee 2015-16.

Cliff Pu, F, Buffalo Sabres, 3rd-round, 2016.

Cliff Pu, F, Buffalo Sabres, 3rd-round, 2016.

Nicholas Baptiste, F, Buffalo Sabres, 3rd-round, 2013.

Nicholas Baptiste, F, Buffalo Sabres, 3rd-round, 2013.

Justin Bailey, F, Buffalo Sabres, 2nd-roound, 2013.

Justin Bailey, F, Buffalo Sabres, 2nd-roound, 2013.

Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, D, Nashville Predators, 3rd-round, 2013.

Jonathan-Ismael Diaby, D, Nashville Predators, 3rd-round, 2013.

Jordan Subban, D, Vancouver Canucks, 4th-round, 2013.

Jordan Subban, D, Vancouver Canucks, 4th-round, 2013.

Madison Bowey, D, Washington Capitals, 2md-round, 2013.

Madison Bowey, D, Washington Capitals, 2md-round, 2013.

Joshua Ho-Sang, F, New York Islanders, 1st-round, 2014.

Joshua Ho-Sang, F, New York Islanders, 1st-round, 2014.

Brandon Montour, D, Anaheim Ducks, 2nd-round, 2014.

Brandon Montour, D, Anaheim Ducks, 2nd-round, 2014.

Bokondji Imama, F, Tampa Bay Lightning 6th-round, 2015.

Bokondji Imama, F, Tampa Bay Lightning 6th-round, 2015.

Ethan Bear, D, Edmonton Oilers 5th-round, 2015.

Ethan Bear, D, Edmonton Oilers 5th-round, 2015.

Devante Stephens, D, Buffalo Sabres 5th-round, 2015.

Devante Stephens, D, Buffalo Sabres 5th-round, 2015.

Caleb Jones, D, Edmonton Oilers 4th-round pick, 2015.

Caleb Jones, D, Edmonton Oilers 4th-round pick, 2015.

Mathieu Joseph, F, Tampa Bay Lightning 4th-round pick, 2015.

Mathieu Joseph, F, Tampa Bay Lightning 4th-round pick, 2015.

Keegan Kolesar, F, Columbus Blue Jackets 3rd-round pick, 2015.

Keegan Kolesar, F, Columbus Blue Jackets 3rd-round pick, 2015.

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How diverse is the NHL? Take a look

19 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by William Douglas in Uncategorized

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Alec Martinez, Auston Matthews, Dustin Byfuglien, Joel Ward, P.K. Subban, Trevor Daley

They hail from different places and backgrounds. They’re of different races, ethnic groups, and faiths. But put a stick in their hands and skates on their feet, they’re all the same: hockey players.

It’s fun writing about the history and growing impact of people of color in hockey, but frustrating at the same time. A lot of people still don’t realize how diverse the sport is becoming, how the face of hockey is changing.

Seeing is believing, so here are some of the players of color who were on the rosters of National Hockey League teams when the 2016-17 season opened last week. If you have any questions about the players, take a deeper dive into this blog for some of their stories.

 

 Auston Matthews, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

Auston Matthews, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

Dustin Byfuglien, D, Winnipeg Jets

Dustin Byfuglien, D, Winnipeg Jets

Kyle Okposo, F, Buffalo Sabres

Kyle Okposo, F, Buffalo Sabres

Nazem Kadri, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

Nazem Kadri, F, Toronto Maple Leafs

 J.T. Brown, F, Tampa Bay Lightning

J.T. Brown, F, Tampa Bay Lightning

 Joel Ward, F, San Jose Sharks

Joel Ward, F, San Jose Sharks

Nail Yakupov, F, St. Louis Blues

Nail Yakupov, F, St. Louis Blues

Ryan Reaves, F, St. Louis Blues

Ryan Reaves, F, St. Louis Blues

 Trevor Daley, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Trevor Daley, D, Pittsburgh Penguins

Wayne Simmonds, F, Philadelphia Flyers

Wayne Simmonds, F, Philadelphia Flyers

 Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, F, Philadelphia Flyers

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, F, Philadelphia Flyers

Mika Zibanejad, F, New York Rangers

Mika Zibanejad, F, New York Rangers

Devante Smith-Pelly, F, New Jersey Devils

Devante Smith-Pelly, F, New Jersey Devils

P.K. Subban, D, Nashville Predators

P.K. Subban, D, Nashville Predators

Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens

Carey Price, G, Montreal Canadiens

Al Montoya, G, Montreal Canadiens

Al Montoya, G, Montreal Canadiens

Chris Stewart, F, Minnesota Wild

Chris Stewart, F, Minnesota Wild

Matt Dumba, D, Minnesota Wild

Matt Dumba, D, Minnesota Wild

Jordan Nolan, F, Los Angeles Kings

Jordan Nolan, F, Los Angeles Kings

 Alec Martinez, D, Los Angeles Kings

Alec Martinez, D, Los Angeles Kings

Johnny Oduya, D, Dallas Stars

Johnny Oduya, D, Dallas Stars

Darnell Nurse, D, Edmonton Oilers

Darnell Nurse, D, Edmonton Oilers

 Brandon Saad, F, Columbus Blue Jackets

Brandon Saad, F, Columbus Blue Jackets

 Seth Jones, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

Seth Jones, D, Columbus Blue Jackets

 Jordan Tootoo, F, Chicago Blackhawks.

Jordan Tootoo, F, Chicago Blackhawks.

Anthony Duclair, forward, Arizona Coyotes.

Anthony Duclair, forward, Arizona Coyotes.

 Jarome Iginla, F, Colorado Avalanche

Jarome Iginla, F, Colorado Avalanche

Evander Kane, F, Buffalo Sabres.

Evander Kane, F, Buffalo Sabres.

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From “40/40” to full-time, Shandor Alphonso earns his NHL zebra stripes

12 Wednesday Oct 2016

Posted by William Douglas in Uncategorized

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Buffalo Sabres, Jay Sharrers, Lakehead University, Montreal Canadiens, Shandor Alphonso

Shandor Alphonso won’t be a “40/40” man anymore.

Alphonso’s hockey dual existence ends when he steps onto the ice of Buffalo’s recently-renamed KeyBank Center Thursday as part of the officiating crew for the Sabres home opener against the Montreal Canadiens.

Linesman Shandor Alphonso (Photo/Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

Linesman Shandor Alphonso (Photo/Dave Sandford/NHLI via Getty Images)

The NHL promoted the 32-year-old Orangeville, Ont., native to full-time linesman this season, ending a two-year apprenticeship that had him officiating 40 National Hockey League games and 40 American Hockey League contests.

His days of officiating a game at Madison Square Garden one night and at the Syracuse War Memorial the next are over. Now he’s looking forward to visiting NHL cities he’s never seen before – Los Angeles, Anaheim, San Jose and Denver.

“It feels great,” Alphonso told me recently. “A lot of guys at (referee’s camp) said ‘You can get on the 40/40 by accident or anyone can get on the 40/40 but to get promoted full-time, that’s pretty special.’ It means a ton to me, I’m really excited about getting the season going.”

Alphonso was among three referees and three linesmen to get bumped up to the big league full time this season.

“All of the additions to our officiating team, including Shandor, bring a great skating skill set, athletic mindset and hockey IQ that is absolutely vital to be successful in today’s NHL,” said Stephen Walkom, the NHL’s senior vice president and director of officiating.

Now that he’s a full time NHL zebra, Alphonso is doing what the league’s players do and setting his sights on the post season. Stanley Cup Playoffs assignments are rewards to referees and linesmen who excel during the regular season.

Embed from Getty Images

 

“In the player world, you’re battling for ice time each game,” he told me. “In our world, you’re battling to get the big games; you’re battling to get into the playoffs; your’re battling, once you’re in the playoffs, to get to the next round. And once you get to the next round, you’re battling to get into the Stanley Cup Final. You’re battling with yourself to get better every game you do…because at the end of the day, every guy wants to work the Stanley Cup Final.”

Alphonso hopes to achieve another goal this season: to work a game with veteran Jay Sharrers, his role model and the NHL’s only other black on-ice official.

“It would be pretty cool to work with Jay,” he said. “You don’t usually notice referees, but I noticed Jay when I  was growing up – it would be pretty special to work with him.”

Embed from Getty Images

 

As a boy, Alphonso dreamed of making it to the NHL – as a player. A rugged left wing , he played 183 games for the Ontario Hockey League’s Sudbury Wolves from 2001-02 to 2003-04, notching 25 goals, 48 assists and collecting 143 penalty minutes.

He went on play for Lakehead University in Thunder Bay, Ontario, from 2005-06 to 2009-10. He tallied 18 goals, 22 assists, and accumulated 121 penalty minutes in 111 games for the Thunderwolves.

During his fourth year at Lakehead, the NHL invited him to participate in the NHL Amateur Exposure Combine, an officiating camp designed to entice major junior, U.S., and Canadian college hockey players to consider becoming linesmen or referees.

The experience convinced him to drop his stick and pick up a whistle. He officiated in various leagues, including the OHL, before landing the 40/40 opportunity with the NHL/AHL two seasons ago.

He performed well enough to be assigned to work the AHL’s Calder Cup Final in his rookie season and again in 2015-16. Even though he’s logged some NHL officiating time, Alphonso will be the junior guy on officiating crews most nights.

“I’ll be in charge of the rookie duties – little stuff like renting the car, doing the report after the game,” he said with a laugh. “Nothing too crazy.”

 

 

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From Detroit to the Desert? Arizona Coyotes sign Jalen Smereck

11 Tuesday Oct 2016

Posted by William Douglas in Uncategorized

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Arizona Coyotes, Flint Firebirds, Jalen Smereck, Ontario Hockey League, Oshawa Generals

Not taken in the 2016 National Hockey League Draft? Not a problem for Jalen Smereck.

When his name wasn’t called at June’s draft in Buffalo, the 19-year-old Flint Firebirds defenseman did what he always does – he went back to work and he impressed.

Smereck turned an Arizona Coyotes’ rookie camp appearance over the summer into an invite to the NHL team’s training camp last month into a three-year entry level contract with the team that he signed last week.

“This is a surreal moment for my family and I,” Smereck said of the signing. “This is an opportunity that I don’t take lightly and am very thankful to the entire Arizona Coyotes organization. There is still a lot of work to be done but I guarantee that I will work my hardest to get better everyday.”

Embed from Getty Images

The Detroit native appeared in one preseason game for Arizona last month, registering two hits and two penalty minutes while logging 13:44 minutes of ice time.

The Coyotes shipped the 6-foot, 195-pound defender back to Flint, where he’s an alternate captain on the Firebirds.

He has no goals and 6 assists in four OHL games this season. Smereck tallied 5 goals and 20 assists  in 63 games for the OHL’s  Oshawa Generals last season. He was acquired by Flint over the summer.

“This is an awesome day for Jalen and his family,” said Firebirds General Manager George Burnett of Smereck’s NHL signing. “This is another great example of determination and perseverance by a young man who was a late draft selection into our league and was not picked in the NHL Entry Draft.”

Jalen Smereck starred on the blue line last season for the Oshawa Generals (Photo/Terry Wilson/OHL Images).

Jalen Smereck starred on the blue line last season for the Oshawa Generals (Photo/Terry Wilson/OHL Images).

The Generals chose Smereck with the 299th overall pick in the 2013 OHL draft. Before joining Oshawa, he skated for the Bloomington Thunder  of the United States Hockey League after the Tier I junior  team selected him with the 18th overall pick in the 2014 Phase II Draft. He also played two games for the Odessa Jackalopes of the North American Hockey League.

Smereck hails from a hockey family that had him on skates by the time he was two years old.

“My dad coached my two older brothers and I was just one of the younger kids around the rink watching,” Smereck told The Detroit Free Press recently. I always took my brother’s stick and played in the hallway. My dad thought I was ready and took me on the ice.”

Despite Detroit’s black hockey history – the Detroit Hockey Association has produced players who’ve gone on to stellar collegiate and minor league careers– it wasn’t always easy being a black kid  playing in the Motor City, Smereck said.

“Everyone else is playing basketball or football and you’re playing hockey,” he told The Detroit Free Press recently. “I kind of got teased a bit for playing that sport. I still played basketball and baseball, but they looked down on me for playing hockey.”

These days, Smereck works to make sure that young kids of color in Flint and back home in Detroit learn that hockey is indeed for everyone.

“I definitely look to get out in the community here in Flint and open up the eyes of some of the young kids in the inner city,” he told the Free Press. “Even back home in Detroit, I’ve done a few talks with kids and just tried to show them. It’s amazing when you show them what a hockey puck is and they just can’t take their eyes off it.”

 

 

 

 

 

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