|
Update: Players missed an opportunity Wednesday, but did it right Thursday |
|
|
|
|
|
(Update: Thursday afternoon, NHL players said they would not play Thursday and Friday games as part of professional athletes' protest movement for the shooting of Jacob Blake. It was the right move, even if it was a day late)
On Wednesday, at the urging of players, games in the NBA, WNBA and MLB were postponed in protest of the police shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin.
Before the 8 p.m. NHL playoff game, a moment of reflection was held and video screens at the Toronto bubble site read: “End racism.”
On social media, some people voiced hockey’s reaction wasn't nearly strong enough.
"NHL is always last to the party on these topics," Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba told Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver on Wednesday. "It's kind of sad and disheartening for me and for members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, and I'm sure for other guys across the league.”
Dumba is a player of color and a founding member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.
“If no one stands up and does anything, then it's the same thing. That silence,” Dumba said. “You're just outside, looking in on actually being leaders and evoking real change when you have such an opportunity to do so."
Before the Tampa Bay vs. Boston Game 3 in Toronto, The public-address announcer read this statement: "Racism has been embedded in our society for far too long. Today and every day, the NHL and the hockey community are committed in the mission to combat racial injustice and achieve a fair society for all. The NHL would like to take this moment to wish Jacob Blake and his family well and call out to our fans and communities to stand up for social justice and the effort to end racism."
Several of the NHL’s highest profile media members thought NHL players, by playing, missed an opportunity to make a strong statement.
“Hockey has a chance to join a statement for social change. Instead, once again, the NHL is just looking the other way,” ESPN’s Emily Kaplan said on Twitter.
Long-time Hockey News Editor In Chief Jason Kay said: “I'm wondering if the NHL will regret its decision to proceed with its games tonight? This is an historic night and history will judge.
Former NHL goalie Kelly Hrudey, now an analyst for Sportsnet, said NHL games should not be played.
"I don't think we should be here. I think the NHL should postpone the games. I really feel we should be more supportive of Black Lives Matter," said former NHL goaltender Kelly Hrudey, an analyst on Sportsnet in Canada. "Rather than watching hockey, I'd prefer to be having this conversion with my family. The NHL is missing out. This would be an important night for families to have the discussion again."
Elliotte Friedman, Hrudey’s highly popular colleague, tweeted his support for what Hrudey had to say.
The sad aspect of the night is that many players do support the Black Lives Matter movement specifically, or a general fight against injustice, and have publicly voiced that support.
But none stepped up and called for a boycott. It seems likely the NHL would have postponed the games if that’s what players wanted. Boston’s well-spoken defenseman Zdeno Chara said timing was an issue. When NHLers heard what the NBA was doing, there was not enough time to discuss postponement.
“We were just getting ready,” Chara said after Game 3 against Tampa Bay. “But we support the fight against racism and injustice. There’s different ways to express that fight and, obviously, NBA players expressed their opinions by boycotting the games today, so we support it.”
Dallas player Tyler Seguin, who took a knee earlier during the U.S. and Canadian anthems earlier in the playoffs as his form of protest: "I fully support what the NBA and MLB are doing, and we had the decision tonight to play the game. We look forward to showing our actions more in the coming days."
It’s possible the NHL players will do something today, but yesterday’s inaction does feel like a lost opportunity. If NHL players would have demanded postponement yesterday, it would have had a major impact.
Blogger •HHOF Writer's column on the NHL • 
Join the Discussion:
»