Leafs’ Hyman speaks on racial equality

As he gets his mind back to playing hockey this week, Zach Hyman’s thoughts aren’t far from what has been occurring on a global scale.

The Maple Leafs winger, announced on Tuesday as the club’s nominee for the 20192020 Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy, said during a conference call with media that the increased demands for racial equality since the death of George Floyd two weeks ago have given him cause for contemplation.

“It’s something I have been thinking about for a pretty long time and I haven’t made a social media post because I want to make sure I get my thoughts out correctly,” Hyman said. “Personally, I don’t know what it feels like to be judged based on your colour, but I do know what it feels like to be judged based on your religion.

“I am Jewish, I have experienced anti-Semitism, so I can empathize. For me, it’s pretty clear that racism and any type of judgment based on your race, religion or gender, is not tolerant.

“In hockey, especially in today’s world, we are making strides to try to make (equality and inclusivity) more of a possibility. I got married (last year), I’m planning to have kids, you want your kids to grow up in a better world than you grew up in. Hopefully, everyone can work together. I think you are seeing that, people educating themselves.”

There’s no argument — Hyman is deserving as the Leafs’ Masterston nominee, as voted by the Toronto chapter of the Professional Hockey Writers Association, which recognizes the NHL player who best exemplifies the qualities of perseverance, sportsmanship and dedication to hockey.

Hyman, who turned 28 on Tuesday, regularly has been the Leafs’ hardest worker since making his NHL debut in 2015-2016, and he took that up a few notches last season after making his debut Nov. 13 in New York against the Islanders following a recovery from off-season knee surgery.

Hyman didn’t miss another game before the NHL was paused on March 12 because of the COVID-19 pandemic and he tied his career high with 21 goals in 51 games. Had Hyman and the Leafs played their final 12 games, the Toronto native could have hit a career high in points, as he had 37, four shy of his personal best, when the season was halted.

All the while, Hyman upended the theory that players who miss training camp and a large chunk to start the season — in his case, 19 games — need some time to find a rhythm, if they find one at all. Hyman got into a groove immediately.

Naturally, Hyman is enthused that the NHL has moved into Phase 2 of its Return to Play plan, with Leafs gathering this week for small group on-ice workouts at the Ford Performance Centre.