Why don't black or however I am supposed to refer, men play pro hockey?

Answer 1

So many racists. I'm still amazed at the insensitivity of people.

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Answer 2

There's only a couple people who have given unintelligent answers on this page so let's get over the calling people racist garbage.

One of the two main reasons up until the past decade has been the financial burden and the issue of it not really being a sport that blacks were interested in because of cultural differences.

Those that were interested had possibly a harder time than any other sport with integration. The black players in the NHL still have more problems from my experience than any other sport save possibly soccer. Racial slurs and other issues.

The build thing is kind of stupid except to look at why those white players that were built small and stocky didn't play other sports where that type of build isn't as advantageous such as playing quarterback in the NFL (Doug Fluties are rare).

I think the biggest reasons are that most blacks have lived for much of our history in non-hockey hotbeds.

Also, when talking about financial issues, hockey is more affordable now than it was before with the application of discount stores. You don't have to be black to not be able to afford hockey. I'm white and I had a hard time affording it. I still have a hard time affording it at time even though I make decent money now.

Answer 3

I asked the same question about swimming a couple of weeks ago and I got some good answers from black people that really made me think. The two main points were :
1- The availability of good coaching. It's not the availability of the resource (pool or ice rink) that lacks, but the structure and coaching for many black communities.
2- Role models. There are too few black swimmers and probably hockey players to inspire a great influx of black atheletes in those sports.

In addition, this black guy told me to start doing something about it myself, and that is just what I am doing !

Answer 4

Ask yourself this: How many Americans play hockey? Now ask : How many Southern Americans play hockey? Hockey is an international sport but is only popular in Scandinavian countries, Central Europe, Russia and Canada.

There aren't a lot of Black people in those places except Canada. And in Canada there are now more Asians than Blacks.
If the sport gets more popular in the States then maybe more blacks will play.... the sport is growing but it will be a slow progression to that.

Answer 5

It is my belief that many African Americans do not play Hockey because of a finicial choice.It takes alot of money to play Hockey.Skates $175 to $300,Stick$85 to $250,helmet and so on and so.To play basketball all you need is a ball and hoop.when I was little my brother and I made a hoop from a hanger and used rolled up socks as a ball.African American families in my day may not have been doing as good as families of today.I believe that if the world was indeed equal you would see many African Americans Men playing hockey.

Answer 6

There are a quite a few blacks that do play hockey in the NHL. In fact, one of the greatest goalies of all time was black: Grant Fuhr. He's retired now but has been inducted into the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame already.

Some current blacks in the NHL include Jerome Iginla and George Laroque.

Answer 7

First off, why can't we all refer to "black" people as AFRO-AMERICAN. This is the correct "phrase to use.
Now to answer the question. There is far less Afro-American people in "Hockey playing countries" those being Canada, USA, and European Hockey countries like Russia, Germany, Finland, Sweden, Czchec, Kazakstan amd Switzerland. Lets stick to Canada and the United States and demographics for a moment. In the earlier days from like the 1950's - early 1990's, i do believe racism played a part in the very small amount of Afro-Americans that played in the NHL. However demographics was the large reason why. Take these stats. In 1971 Canadian born NHL players made up 95% of all players in the NHL. The percentage of Afro-Americans living in Canada at that time was a microscopic .02%. That is one very large reason. Another reason is that today in 2007 that percentage of Afro -Americans living in Canada is still a very small percentage that sits around 2%. Not a very big jump.In 2006-2007 season in the NHL the number of Canadians that play in the NHL has dropped to 60% while the USA has 15% of all players. The remaining 25% comes from Europe. Although the USA contributes a substantial number of players at 15%, you now have to figure in what percentage of 15% are Afro - American. Also , don't forget before expansion there were only 6 teams in the NHL So , this being said, i believe that in the begining
racism played a role as well as demographics. today i believe that demographics is the biggest reason followed by socio-economics. Each year at the start of training camp each player in the NHL is required to take a course in Diversity Training. There are also many programs geared towards promoting hockey in inner cities across Canada and the USA. There are also a variety of donation programs for people to donate used equipment to the less fortunate. BUT!!! remember, many different races live in inner cities, just not Afro- Americans.
Here is a current list of Afro-Americans that have played or are playing in the NHL and their stats. Some of the stats are very impressive.
http://72.14.205.104/search?q=cache:TAy1_HkqXnQJ:www.hockeyplaya830.com/uploads/blackplayers.pdf+listing+of+black+NHL+hockey+players&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=2&gl=ca&client=firefox-a
I might also note that Jerome Iginla who is Afo-American and white mix (malato) is captain of the flames, Anson Carter who is Afro-American was assistant captain of the Bruins and Team Canada and Grant Fuhr was a multi time member of team Canada, won a few cups and is now in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Sorry this was a bit dragged out but i hope it helps you understand a bit better.

Answer 8

There are several blacks, mostly Canadians, in the NHL, other posts have named several of them. Everbody there plays hockey. In most of the US, however, hockey and skating generally are not so widespread. Very few communities can afford youth hockey programs, and they tend to be in wealthy, predominantly white neighborhoods. I knew a black guy who was a goalie in college, and he came from a middle class neighborhood.

Answer 9

All the answers above are decent, but the real reason is money. Hockey is an expensive sport. Whether you are buying equipment or renting ice time. In our society it is a lot rougher for minorities to get higher paying jobs to afford the sport. It is a lot cheaper to buys a basketball or a baseball mit, than it is for the hockey gear. Therefore the sport isn't as popular with minority population.

Answer 10

Wow, we went a whole week without this question being asked.

Hockey is not exclusionary. There are at least 11 afro-american men playing in the NHL right now as well as many asians. Heck, there was even a woman once, Manon Rheume.

Answer 11

African Americans.... and they do play hockey they just come from a P.O.S Province. (quebec) they have a good hockey system to keep low Income familys from living without food. so they let the kids play for free. and give money to the familys. one good story is Anthony stewart, Dirt poor, got drafted by florida panthers. and if you want a BIG Black Player!!! George Laraque he playes for Phoenix.