‘IT’S CLEAR THIS IS BIGGER THAN SPORTS’
For NHL players, fight for social justice doesn’t end when playoff games resume
They’re not sticking to sports, never mind hockey.
As NHL players stayed off the ice again on Friday, with games postponed for a second consecutive day, the message couldn’t have been louder.
“I understand people want to watch the games, but it’s too bad,” Boston Bruins forward Brad Marchand said during one of four Zoom calls with reporters, each involving one of the remaining Eastern Conference clubs in the Stanley Cup Playoffs. “We have bigger things we care about and what we want to do and improve upon and the people we want to support, and that’s what matters.
“Everyone is entitled to their own opinion, but it’s evident and clear this is bigger than sports. Sports is a luxury. It’s a luxury to watch this game and play this game, but when it becomes about people’s safety and lives, and people feeling comfortable to be in their own skin, it’s much more important than that.”
And this from defenceman Scott Mayfield of the New York Islanders: “We’re human beings. That’s my response (to those who say stick to sports). Everyone has a voice, everyone has opinions, but you want to do what’s right. Everyone needs to look in the mirror and be a better person.”
NHL players, long rebuked for keeping their thoughts on subjects outside of hockey close to the vest, continued to burst that perceived bubble on Friday. Their solidarity in the stand against racial and social injustice was brought to the fore on Thursday when the players announced they wouldn’t play games that day or the next, with plans to resume the playoffs on Saturday in the bubbles in Toronto and Edmonton.
In the wake of further incidents in the United States — the latest the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by police in Wisconsin on Sunday — a moment of reflection was held before the game between Boston and Tampa Bay on Wednesday. That wasn’t close to being good enough, especially with athletes in other professional sports leagues collectively taking a knee, either for the players, or for many others who desire meaningful change.
The Hockey Diversity Alliance requested on Thursday that all playoff games be suspended that day; the players agreed that two days of staying off the ice would be a strong course of action.
What’s encouraging is that the action on the part of the players to sit for a couple of days is an initial step toward trying to gain equality, not only in the sport, but in society as a whole. Once games start again on Saturday, the players don’t plan to bench their principles.
“Guys have been having these conversations non-stop,” Lightning defenceman Luke Schenn said. “It’s good to have that (twoday) pause. It gives you time to sit back and reflect. We’re all looking to educate ourselves. We all realize nothing is going to be fixed by (Saturday) morning, but this is a situation where everyone needs to continue to learn and ask questions and do what’s right and be a good person in this world, and educate your kids and show them the right way.
“It’s a long-term thing, but the whole point of the pause was to get everyone to sit back and listen and reflect, and (consider) where to go from here.”
Mayfield might have agreed. “For me, it’s about action,” Mayfield said. “I’ve already reached out to our community relations director, just about setting up things outside the rink, what we can do, brainstorming ideas, going to minority communities.
“The platform in hockey is probably the biggest thing. Hearing stories of young players who don’t feel safe, who don’t feel included, that’s something that just needs to stop. That makes me sick. Hockey is a place where everyone should feel safe, enjoy the game and love the game and love going to the rink.
“We know us sitting out two days isn’t going to end racism. What it does do is bring dialogue and bring awareness.”
Mayfield’s coach, Barry Trotz, underlined the importance of listening.
“There is stuff in this world that everybody pretends they understand, but we don’t understand,” Trotz said. “It’s time to listen and support.
“The next step is to have some solutions. If we have to change some laws, let’s get that done. If it’s getting the next generation, the youth, to understand the meaning of love and understanding, let’s get that done.” tkoshan@postmedia.com