Black Hockey Players Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs, one of the Original Six teams in the National Hockey League (NHL), have been entertaining hockey fans for over a century. Over the years, the team has showcased a number of talented players from various backgrounds, including African Americans. In this article, we'll be looking at some of the black hockey players who achieved great success with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Herbert Carnegie: The Black Ace
Herbert Carnegie, famously known as "The Black Ace", was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for various teams, including the Maple Leafs. Carnegie, who was born in 1919 in Toronto, faced a lot of racial discrimination due to his skin color. Despite the obstacles, Carnegie managed to become an exceptional player and was the first black player to be invited to try out for the Maple Leafs in 1948. Despite impressing the coaches, he was never able to join the team due to the prevailing racism in the NHL at the time. Carnegie retired from professional hockey at age 33 and went on to become a successful businessman.
Wendel Clark: The Tough Guy
Wendel Clark is a former Canadian professional ice hockey player who played for the Maple Leafs from 1985 to 1994 and from 1996 to 1998. Clark is known for his tough-guy persona, physical style of play, and his leadership qualities. Although not a black player himself, Clark was a great supporter of his black teammates and even stood up against racism on numerous occasions. In an interview with the Toronto Star, Clark said, "It's not about color, it's about talent."
Mike Marson: The First Black Player
Mike Marson was a Canadian ice hockey player who was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1974. Marson, who was black, became the first black player to play for the Capitals and one of the first black players in the NHL. In the 1978-1979 season, Marson was traded to the Maple Leafs, making him the first black player to play for the team. Although his NHL career was short-lived, Marson's legacy as a trailblazer for black players in the league lives on.
Grant Fuhr: The Hall of Famer
Grant Fuhr is a former Canadian professional ice hockey goaltender who played for several teams, including the Maple Leafs. Fuhr, who is black and of mixed races, was a dominant goalie and is considered one of the greatest goaltenders in NHL history. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. Fuhr's success as a goaltender paved the way for more opportunities for black players in the league and inspired a new generation of young players.
Diversity in the NHL
Over the years, the NHL has become more diverse and inclusive, with more black players and players from other minority backgrounds making their way into the league. The Maple Leafs, in particular, have made efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the sport. In 2018, they launched the "Next Generation Game" initiative aimed at promoting hockey among youth from diverse backgrounds. The initiative included a special hockey clinic for black and other minority youths, which was attended by members of the Leafs organization.
With the continued efforts towards diversity and inclusion in the NHL, we can expect to see more black players making history with the Toronto Maple Leafs and other teams in the league.
