CHANCE TO VISIT WHITE HOUSE A ‘ONCE IN A LIFETIME’ THING
But Senators goaltender stickhandles around political debate in his homeland
After deflecting away pucks at practice late Wednesday morning, Ottawa Senators goaltender Craig Anderson did his best to deflect away any political questions that came his way.
Anderson, who was born in Chicago and spends his offseasons in Florida, acknowledges it’s impossible to not be aware of the anti-Donald Trump protests that took over the NFL last weekend. Countless players opted to kneel during the playing of the Star Spangled Banner — protesting against overt racism, social injustices and the hardline stance and foul words Trump has used to describe players who take a knee — serving to divide the country.
Anderson doesn’t want to weigh in on the political football going on in the United States. But as an American, he also says he wouldn’t decline if a president, whether Republican or Democrat, ever invited him to the White House.
“I think that’s one of those things that is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to go and see,” he said. “Regardless of who the president is, it doesn’t really matter to me. It’s more about just going to see the White House.”
The hockey world is generally removed from the racial issues in the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball. On average, there is only one black player per team. The NHL is also more cosmopolitan, with only 27 per cent of the players born in the United States.
Just the same, the tension is mounting on the ice, just as it on the football field. Any decision or any comment carrying the hint of a political viewpoint is subject to controversy.
The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins are in the middle of the storm. In a publicrelations nightmare, the Penguins announced Sunday — the day of loud, around-the-NFL protests against Trump — that they would accept an invitation to the White House. Sidney Crosby, who grew up in Cole Harbour, N.S., is taking the brunt of the abuse.
Meanwhile, several NHL players and coaches have spoken up to support the freedom-of-speech rights of athletes, even if they don’t personally agree with the decision to kneel for the anthem.
San Jose Sharks forward Joel Ward, who is black, has been the most outspoken. Ward told the Mercury News that he has endured his share of racial abuse throughout his life and career and is contemplating kneeling during the playing of the anthem.
“It’s definitely something I wouldn’t cross out. I’ve experienced a lot of racism myself in hockey and on a day-to-day occurrence. I haven’t really sat down to think about it too much, but I definitely wouldn’t say no to it.”
Ward is angered that Trump and his supporters say the athletes who are kneeling are disrespecting the military and the American flag with their protests. He’s proud of the NFL players who are using their platforms to stand up for all the minorities who don’t have a forum.
“It’s about creating awareness about what people, like myself, go through on a day-to-day basis, whether it’s going to the mall or whatever,” Ward said.
Anderson offered no comment on Ward’s comments. He says his place is in the crease.
“From my perspective, politics is left to the politicians and we do our job and I don’t really have an opinion on it, either way,” he said. “I’m living and playing in Canada and for the most part, I’m almost Canadian.”
Pressed on the subject, Anderson deflected again.
“It’s politics. I prefer to stay away from anything controversial and just worry about what I have to do and that’s play hockey.”
Senators left winger Ryan Dzingel, who, like Anderson, grew up in Chicago, also offered up no comment on the Trump-inspired circus.