Akim Aliu believes it's time for society, and particularly white-dominant hockey culture, to educate itself regarding racism and what minorities deal with daily.
In a TSN interview on Tuesday alongside San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, the former NHLer shared his perspective on the protests that have swept across the United States after George Floyd died while in police custody in Minneapolis last week. He discussed how change for the better can begin.
"I think it starts with educating yourself," Aliu said. "Find a way. It's 2020, just look at the history, look at what our ancestors have been through to get to where we are now. Hockey's a tough sport to sell that message to because, for the most part, you need to come from privilege to be able to sustain economically, to be able to play the game.
"But I feel like if you take that upon yourself to learn and educate yourself on what black people, people of color, and indigenous people have been through to get to where they are now, and still to be treated like this, there isn't much more we can take. I think it's just come to a boiling point with what we're seeing around the world, but I think the first step is starting to educate yourself, try to understand what it's like in our shoes for a day, a week, or even a month, and they'll realize it's not something they want to be apart of."
In November, Aliu shared that then-Calgary Flames head coach Bill Peters called him the N-word during their time together in the AHL. Peters admitted to using the offensive language and ultimately resigned.
Aliu has since been publicly involved in pushing for more inclusivity in the sport at all levels. He met with commissioner Gary Bettman in early December to share his stories and ideas for change, and then Aliu wrote a powerful piece on The Players' Tribune in May detailing the racial abuse he dealt with his entire career.
Madison Square Garden Company chairman James Dolan, who owns the NBA's New York Knicks and NHL's New York Rangers, issued a second email to his employees Tuesday defending the lack of a public statement regarding George Floyd's death in police custody.
Yesterday, I made a sincere attempt to provide my perspective on a very difficult issue, one that has no easy answers. I know how important this topic is to so many and I do not want there to be any confusion about where I as an individual, or we as a company stand. So let me be clear: we vehemently condemn and reject racism against anyone, period. It is against every value that we hold dear.
My point yesterday was about actions, and the importance of living your values. At Madison Square Garden, we have worked hard to build an environment of inclusion and mutual respect and those are the values that we try to live every day. Racism is born of ignorance and it's up to each of us to understand that the person working beside you is your equal without regard to color, or any of the other qualities that make us diverse. And any injustice to one person is an injustice to everyone.
This is how we at MSG fight racism. We start with ourselves, and through our actions, we define who we are. That is how we can be an example to the wider world. That was the point of my message yesterday.
I am proud of the environment you have created here. I know that this is a difficult time, and that we will always need to communicate with one another on the hard issues. I will continue to do as much as I can to help make our community even better. I know you will also.
Dolan issued on Monday an internal memo to employees, which attempted to explain why the company and its teams have remained silent.
"As companies in the business of sports and entertainment, however, we are not any more qualified than anyone else to offer our opinion on social matters. What's important is how we operate," he wrote.
The Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, and Atlanta Hawks are the only three NBA teams that have yet to release a public statement amid growing protests across North America in the fight against racial injustice.
However, Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich criticized President Donald Trump on Monday for a lack of leadership during the widespread unrest, and the Hawks shared an interview with head coach Lloyd Pierce, during which he spoke about living in fear as a black man in the U.S.
Knicks players and employees are "furious" that the team hasn't issued a public statement, leading to a meeting Tuesday without Dolan to discuss his internal communications, reports Pablo S. Torre of ESPN.
In the NHL, only the Rangers and Ottawa Senators have not issued their own statements. The Senators, however, did retweet a message from center Chris Tierney that cited "an inequitable society that enables systemic racism."
Former NHL forward Georges Laraque spoke Tuesday about the ongoing protests across North America in the fight against racism.
"I think racism, if we want it to stop it, it starts with one another, all ourselves. Because if you look at racism, yeah, we can say that some white people are racist towards black people, but there's even black people that are racist," Laraque said on "Oilers Now" with Bob Stauffer.
"If we want things to change, we all have to look at one another in the mirror and tell ourselves, 'OK, what kind of person am I?'" he added. "If I want change in society, I'm gonna start with myself. Accepting the differences because we're all one, we're all equal, and I gotta raise my kid the same way. Because until we all do so, if we don't raise all our kids the right way, things are never going to change and in 10 years we're going to have the same discussion."
Laraque, who retired in 2010, said he experienced racist taunts throughout his career, primarily during his years prior to entering the NHL.
He added that while posting messages on social media to raise awareness is helpful, there won't be actual progress until real action is taken.
"We have to look at one another and say, 'You know what? I'm going to be a change today, I'm going to be a good influence around people that are around me, so that this chain of racism that keeps going is going to stop on my side, on my family, in my circle of friends,'" he said.
The Anaheim Ducks signed defenseman Kodie Curran to a two-year contract, the league announced Monday.
Curran's deal carries an average annual value of $1 million, according to CapFriendly.
The 30-year-old was named MVP and Defenseman of the Year in the Swedish Hockey League this past season. He led all blue-liners with 12 goals and 37 assists in 48 games. His 49 points were the second most in the league.
Curran hasn't played in North America since the 2015-16 season. After spending five campaigns at the University of Calgary, he split one year between the ECHL and AHL. He then spent one season in Norway, one in Denmark, and the last two in Sweden.
With the United States facing one of its biggest crises in more than 50 years, sports leagues and stars took to social media Tuesday with black screens - under the hashtag #BlackoutTuesday.
LeBron James and Steph Curry were front and center among NBA stars.
In addition to the league itself, several NBA teams tweeted out the item, as did teams in leagues across the sports spectrum and around the world.
In the NFL, New York Jets running back Le'Veon Bell and Philadelphia Eagles tight end Zach Ertz were among the star players making their voices heard.
I’ve held on to my words because I still haven’t been able to find the right thing to say...I’m hurt, WE are hurt, AMERICA is hurting, and I can’t even find words to express to you how bad I feel...RIP George Floyd 💔 #BlackLivesMatter#BlackOutTuesday 🖤✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/rUOLSnHlTb
In the NHL, Toronto Maple Leafs star forward Mitch Marner made his feelings known.
I've been searching for the right thing to say - but I realize that now is the time to listen with intent, understanding and learn how we can help #BlackOutTuesdaypic.twitter.com/PClwtmnkyv
Protests in response to the police killing of Minnesota resident George Floyd have also spread to Europe. From across the Atlantic, Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero voiced his support.
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) June 2, 2020
Others from the soccer world included Real Madrid star Gareth Bale, Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe, and Jozy Altidore of Toronto FC and the U.S. men's national team.
Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba released a statement Tuesday supporting the anti-racism movement across North America after George Floyd, a black man from Minneapolis, was killed by a white police officer last week.
"I've been sad, angry, and disturbed by the senseless unjust we have all witnessed this past week. I have been scared for the families in my community. I know I do not want to feel this way ever again; the feeling of helplessness. The feeling too many have to face each day. I am here for you. To lean on, to listen, to embrace, to have a voice and to be a leader in our community!
"We all must be there for each other and never forget about these tragedies. People learn to hate, I hope one day we can drown that hate by teaching our youth how to love and respect one another no matter of ethnicity.
"I'm disappointed I haven't talked sooner on these issues. Yet I know for certain I will not be silent about any racial injustice in our society again. I will actively work toward equity for all, especially my black family and friends who have been neglected for too long. I am anti-racist."
Dumba is a native of Regina, Saskatchewan, but he's spent his entire seven-year career in Minnesota.
The NHL's 2019-20 postseason will feature even more superstars than usual thanks to an expanded field. But there are also several less heralded players who are primed to make an impact for their respective teams.
Here are five key contributors who have a chance to be the difference in their best-of-five series:
The 21-year-old right-winger piled up 11 goals and 26 points across 27 games this season, thriving instantly after his December call-up and ultimately helping the Oilers maintain a playoff position.
Edmonton's play-in opponents will understandably be focused on containing the aforementioned trio. Yamamoto could capitalize on that and help his club reach the round of 16.
Jason Zucker
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Zucker's production had been on the decline since his 33-goal season with the Minnesota Wild in 2017-18. But he immediately clicked with Sidney Crosby after the Wild traded him to the Pittsburgh Penguins in February.
Filling the void left in the wake of Jake Guentzel's injury, Zucker racked up six goals and six assists in 15 games with the Penguins. His average ice time also increased by nearly two minutes following the move out of Minnesota.
Crosby, Evgeni Malkin, and Kris Letang will command most of the Montreal Canadiens' attention during the play-in round, and rightfully so. But Zucker could certainly do some damage in his own right, even if Guentzel returns and retakes his top-line role.
Mikael Granlund
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Given the dominant manner in which Kevin Fiala finished his season, it seems safe to say the Wild won the one-for-one trade that sent Granlund to the Nashville Predators - at least for now. The latter forward has shown he can be an effective, albeit streaky scorer, and if the Arizona Coyotes overlook him, they could be doing so at their own peril.
Granlund finished with only 17 goals and 30 points in 63 games this season, but he was on fire from late December to late February: He poured in 13 of those 17 markers over a 26-game span, including 11 after John Hynes replaced Peter Laviolette as the Predators' head coach.
Nashville isn't exactly known for its offense, but it has a host of weapons to keep Arizona preoccupied, including Roman Josi, Ryan Johansen, and Granlund's linemates, Filip Forsberg and Matt Duchene. If the Coyotes are forced to give Granlund a little extra space as a result, he could help put the Predators over the top.
Pavel Buchnevich
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Buchnevich certainly benefited from playing alongside Mika Zibanejad this season, but that wasn't the sole reason for his late-campaign success. The Russian winger actually played better without his dynamic linemate, posting a superior expected goals for rate away from the Swedish star.
Like several players on this list, Buchnevich finished strong in 2019-20, netting nine goals and 21 points over the New York Rangers' final 21 regular-season games.
New York's play-in opponents, the Carolina Hurricanes, will be tasked with defending Zibanejad and another elite sniper in Artemi Panarin, which could allow Buchnevich to shine in a supporting role.
In addition to that quartet, the Flames got a late-season boost from a skilled but less celebrated player. Backlund led the club in goals and points down the stretch, notching 10 and 19, respectively, over Calgary's final 14 games. He's long been a dependable two-way center, but he raised his offensive game over the latter portion of the season, producing 13 goals and 30 points over the final 33 contests.
The Winnipeg Jets will have their hands full trying to neutralize Backlund's peskier and more talented linemate, Tkachuk. That could open the door for the Swedish pivot to provide series-altering contributions.
