A former NHL player talks about his life as a black hockey player

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Two black professional hockey players were recently victims of public racial humiliation. In both cases, the perpetrators – Krystof Hrabik of the AHL and Jacob Panetta of the ECHL – allegedly made monkey gestures towards black players during the game. A reporter asked me about these disturbing events and if I was surprised. My answer was to read the first page of my book: Shut Out: The Game That Did Not Love Me Black. I faced the exact same embarrassment countless times in the late 1970s when I played in the AHL and CHL, and briefly in NHL games with the Quebec Nordiques in 1979-80 and 1980-81.

The fact that these horrible experiences remain in the game is what inspired me to come out on the subject.

The recall of these incidents aroused many emotions, but surprise was not one of them. Hockey has a racist history. It was these humiliating experiences that prompted me to buy out my NHL contract with one year left. I loved playing hockey, but I hated the game.

Several leagues have reacted to the recent spate of racial incidents by mandating diversity training, which I strongly oppose on the simple grounds that it is undemocratic. I applaud the fact that the leagues are trying. But this type of training is also naive. Do these authorities really think they will change what lies in a man’s heart by forcing a few hours of classroom work through these filing cabinets?

I approve of severe punishment and a two strike rule following due process. Do it once and expect a long suspension, do it twice and you’re banned from the sport.

As much as I’ve lost in my life to the black experience, I never wished to be white. I am proud to be a black man. Do you understand how much grace it takes to be a member of my race?

Consider these latest hockey events. In the case of Jacob Panetta, the young man claims that he was not doing a “monkey gesture” and claims that it was a bodybuilder pose that he does all the time to make fun of a adversary who will not fight. I watched Panetta’s video and the young man seemed contrite. Now he could be a great actor, or his emotions could stem from mourning the loss of something he loves, the ability to play hockey. I also lost the ability to play hockey and I know how much that hurts. It’s always like that.

But I still believe the young man deserves his day in court. Due process in the pursuit of justice is another fundamental tenet of our society. Which makes it a great example of why I’m so proud to be black. There are countless examples of black people who have not received proper justice. I often lie in my bed at night thinking of George Floyd lying on this street. Ask him about due process.

Do you understand how much forgiveness it takes to support the idea of ​​due process for Jacob Panetta or anyone else in these situations? That’s what a lot of black people do. We refuse to be hypocrites. We want the same rights given to our perpetrators that we were denied countless times when we were the victims.

So no, I’m not surprised by recent events. Racism still exists in the game of hockey. But I want to live in a world where the same people who nod their heads like a bobblehead doll when I call for proper justice for Jacob Panetta, continue to nod when proper justice is called for people of color.

Bernie Saunders was the fifth black player in NHL history. He is also the author of the recently released memoir “Shut Out: The Game That Did Not Love Me Black”.

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