Iginla to make NHL history with 'C'

Black Lightning · 10-08-2003, 08:31 PM

Flames make Iginla first black captain in NHL history

CALGARY, Alberta -- Jarome Iginla became the first black captain in NHL history Wednesday when the talented forward was tabbed to wear the 'C' by the Calgary Flames.

"I have been very lucky to have played with many great captains that I have learned from over the course of my career," Iginla said in a statement. "I believe I am better prepared to assume this role as a result of playing with players such as Craig Conroy and Dave Lowry.

"I'm ready for the next challenge and the responsibilities that go with it."

Conroy, Iginla's linemate, served as Flames captain the past two seasons. Conroy and defenseman Robyn Regehr will be alternate captains.

Classy move by both Calgary and Craig Conroy. Conroy selfishly stepped aside to help make this happen.

Jordan · 10-08-2003, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Black Lightning

Classy move by both Calgary and Craig Conroy. Conroy selfishly stepped aside to help make this happen.

?

anyways, good for Jarome....he deserves it

Long_Long_Name · 10-08-2003, 08:59 PM

selflessly maybe?

Anyway, whatever, I don't care what color that guy is.

Black Lightning · 10-08-2003, 09:53 PM

That was an error on my part. I meant selflessly of course.
Long Long Name, I am surprised that the historical significance means nothing to you. I guess if you were around when Jackie Robinson broke in you would have said "So what?"?

The NHL has been very slow to add black fans to its growing fan base. It's too bad because it is a great sport. Having a shortsighted attitude toward any significant accomplishment by a black player is not very productive in erasing the gap between the NHL and blacks embracing the sport.

I can't ever get a black guy to talk hockey with me around here. The brothers look at me like I'm from another planet or something.

Without having statistics, I would guess hockey fans are the least diverse group of all major sports in the US and Canada and I bet it is not even close.

Long_Long_Name · 10-08-2003, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Black Lightning
Long Long Name, I am surprised that the historical significance means nothing to you. I guess if you were around when Jackie Robinson broke in you would have said "So what?"?

I would've said "It's about time".

Now Iginla's "achievement" means nothing to me because of the folliwing reasons.

1) Races are stupid. Is he even black?
2) He didn't "break" any barriers. Nothing kept a "black" player from being a captain before, it had just never happened.

I'm much more amused by Jordin Tootoo's story than Iginla's this year.

jaxmagicman · 10-08-2003, 10:03 PM

Well it is about time us brothers get some love.

AnotherAlias · 10-08-2003, 10:22 PM

The only race in hockey that concerns me, is the race to the Cup.

holyroller · 10-08-2003, 10:26 PM

Hockey sucks.

Long_Long_Name · 10-08-2003, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by holyroller
Hockey sucks.

Less than Bob Dylan's music.

holyroller · 10-08-2003, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Long_Long_Name
Less than Bob Dylan's music.

Let me show you a picture of Bob Dylan and maybe you will change your mind...

As you see, Dylan is Jesus.

Draft Dodger · 10-08-2003, 10:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by holyroller
Hockey sucks.

so do Idahooans

holyroller · 10-08-2003, 10:42 PM

So do people who can't spell Idahoan.

matskralc · 10-08-2003, 11:10 PM

Convenient, though, that you left out the reason blacks don't play hockey. It's no secret that blacks, as a whole, are worse off economically than whites. Hockey is a ridiculously expensive sport to play. $$$$$ out the ass to play it. The only people who can afford it are the rich white kids.

A basketball and the hoop down at the local park are a lot cheaper.

draven085 · 10-08-2003, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by matskralc
Convenient, though, that you left out the reason blacks don't play hockey. It's no secret that blacks, as a whole, are worse off economically than whites. Hockey is a ridiculously expensive sport to play. $$$$$ out the ass to play it. The only people who can afford it are the rich white kids.

A basketball and the hoop down at the local park are a lot cheaper.

I was going to post exactly the same thing. Well said.

Long_Long_Name · 10-08-2003, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by matskralc
Hockey is a ridiculously expensive sport to play. $$$$$ out the ass to play it. The only people who can afford it are the rich white kids.

In Québec (and I suppose in most of Canada), programs exist to make hockey accessible to people who otherwise couldn't afford it where all equipment and registration fees are not paid by the kid's family.

Draft Dodger · 10-08-2003, 11:19 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by WolfPack25
To act as though the NHL has an obligation to "add black fans" is somewhat absurd, IMO. It's interesting that you phrased it as the NHL being slow to add black fans as though the NHL is to blame, rather than saying "blacks have been very slow to embrace this great sport" and put the onus on blacks to open their minds to the game.

if we're talking about "from a marketing standpoint", then, yes, it is a shame that the NHL is ignoring such a large number of people to expand their fan base.

Black Lightning · 10-09-2003, 02:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by WolfPack25
To act as though the NHL has an obligation to "add black fans" is somewhat absurd, IMO.

Where did you get the idea that I said that? What about my statement confused you so much that you assumed I am putting some blame on the NHL for lack of black fan base? And what is the "IMO" part? This is not opinion, it is fact. The NHL has a very small black fan base. In some cities like Philadelphia and Washington DC, you have a very large African American population but those teams have had no luck in drawing them to the games. I am not placing blame on the league, it just "is".

Quote:

Originally posted by WolfPack25
To act as though the lack of diversity in the fan base is something that needs to be altered, IMO, is silly.

Why is this silly? Have you delved into the reasons why African Americans have not taken to hockey? Are those reasons "silly"?
If the reasons have to do with young black children not having the opportunity to learn or play the game as stated by two posters here, is that "silly" and not worth addressing "in [your] opinion"? If the reason because for years there were not the opportunities afforded at levels from the collegiate ranks to international competition for blacks is that also "silly"? Funny how you cavalierly disregard the whole situation as "silly". Perhaps you have some insight I am not aware of.

Quote:

Originally posted by WolfPack25
That said, Iginla is an excellent player and his Captaincy, race irrelevant, is well deserved.

The point in this case is that race is not irrelevant. It is noteworthy and newsworthy because he is the first black captain in the long history of the NHL. It may mean nothing to you but it means a lot to others. I am almost afraid to ask why you put down this accomplishment as not being important to anyone.

holyroller · 10-09-2003, 02:26 AM

Another GFor...errr...another flame war coming!

akw4572 · 10-09-2003, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by matskralc
Convenient, though, that you left out the reason blacks don't play hockey. It's no secret that blacks, as a whole, are worse off economically than whites. Hockey is a ridiculously expensive sport to play. $$$$$ out the ass to play it. The only people who can afford it are the rich white kids.

A basketball and the hoop down at the local park are a lot cheaper.

No, no you guys got it all wrong. In the famous words of that lizard in Chicago........."the brothas don't like the cold, they don't adapt as well as the white folk do."

Long_Long_Name · 10-09-2003, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Black Lightning
I am almost afraid to ask why you put down this accomplishment as not being important to anyone.

I think it's important as any other captaincy nomination.

The difference between, say, Jackie Robinson and Iginla is that nothing ever stopped a black guy to be captain. The door was open, it's just that it never happened.

10-08-2003, 08:31 PM	#1
Black Lightning Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 54	Iginla to make NHL history with 'C' Flames make Iginla first black captain in NHL history CALGARY, Alberta -- Jarome Iginla became the first black captain in NHL history Wednesday when the talented forward was tabbed to wear the 'C' by the Calgary Flames. "I have been very lucky to have played with many great captains that I have learned from over the course of my career," Iginla said in a statement. "I believe I am better prepared to assume this role as a result of playing with players such as Craig Conroy and Dave Lowry. "I'm ready for the next challenge and the responsibilities that go with it." Conroy, Iginla's linemate, served as Flames captain the past two seasons. Conroy and defenseman Robyn Regehr will be alternate captains. Classy move by both Calgary and Craig Conroy. Conroy selfishly stepped aside to help make this happen.

10-08-2003, 08:59 PM	#3
Long_Long_Name Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Montréal Posts: 7,065	selflessly maybe? Anyway, whatever, I don't care what color that guy is. __________________ Beta Baseball. Join it!

10-08-2003, 09:53 PM	#4
Black Lightning Minors (Single A) Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Mobile, AL Posts: 54	That was an error on my part. I meant selflessly of course. Long Long Name, I am surprised that the historical significance means nothing to you. I guess if you were around when Jackie Robinson broke in you would have said "So what?"? The NHL has been very slow to add black fans to its growing fan base. It's too bad because it is a great sport. Having a shortsighted attitude toward any significant accomplishment by a black player is not very productive in erasing the gap between the NHL and blacks embracing the sport. I can't ever get a black guy to talk hockey with me around here. The brothers look at me like I'm from another planet or something. Without having statistics, I would guess hockey fans are the least diverse group of all major sports in the US and Canada and I bet it is not even close. __________________ NABC - Mobile Bears UBA - Charleston Aces

10-08-2003, 10:03 PM	#6
jaxmagicman Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Retired defloration-maker living in Myrtle Beach, SC Posts: 7,801	Well it is about time us brothers get some love. __________________ See ID Major League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with permission of MLB Advanced Media, L.P. Minor League Baseball trademarks and copyrights are used with the permission of Minor League Baseball. All rights reserved.

10-08-2003, 10:26 PM	#8
holyroller Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: OTBL Forums Posts: 3,532	Hockey sucks. __________________ Back to work, but not drawing a paycheck. TonyJ et. al.'s alias “I confused it with the chicken’s neck,” Mocanu, who was admitted to the emergency hospital in Galati, was quoted as saying. “I cut it ... and the dog rushed and ate it.”

10-08-2003, 10:22 PM	#7
AnotherAlias Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I'm back...for now Posts: 4,190	The only race in hockey that concerns me, is the race to the Cup.

10-08-2003, 10:42 PM	#12
holyroller Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: OTBL Forums Posts: 3,532	So do people who can't spell Idahoan. __________________ Back to work, but not drawing a paycheck. TonyJ et. al.'s alias “I confused it with the chicken’s neck,” Mocanu, who was admitted to the emergency hospital in Galati, was quoted as saying. “I cut it ... and the dog rushed and ate it.”

10-08-2003, 11:10 PM	#13
matskralc Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2003 Posts: 2,076	Convenient, though, that you left out the reason blacks don't play hockey. It's no secret that blacks, as a whole, are worse off economically than whites. Hockey is a ridiculously expensive sport to play. $$$$$ out the ass to play it. The only people who can afford it are the rich white kids. A basketball and the hoop down at the local park are a lot cheaper. __________________ Well, they have a saying here in Texas ... but they probably don't have it in California, so never mind. OTBL - Pennsylvania Fightin' Amish ABC - Pittsburgh Puma OCHO - Pittsburgh Pirates EBU - Commissioner

10-09-2003, 02:26 AM	#18
holyroller Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: OTBL Forums Posts: 3,532	Another GFor...errr...another flame war coming! __________________ Back to work, but not drawing a paycheck. TonyJ et. al.'s alias “I confused it with the chicken’s neck,” Mocanu, who was admitted to the emergency hospital in Galati, was quoted as saying. “I cut it ... and the dog rushed and ate it.”