This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as one of the only African American journalists on the scene. A Black person who watches hockey sometimes feels like a space invader in an all-White puck universe. In five games over three days – three of them finished in overtime, including a 1-0 thriller – it was hard to find a … [Read more...]
Sports: a space for local and national sports news, with emphasis on stories pertaining to African Americans.
Black fans all but nonexistent at Frozen Faceoff
This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. It took four walk-arounds inside the downtown Minneapolis arena before we finally accomplished our simple goal: finding a Black fan. “I am very excited to be here,” admitted Isaac Johnson, a sixth grader from South Dakota. The … [Read more...]
Wild have shot at Stanley Cup
When I walk into Xcel Center and sometimes after finishing a sports update, I get calls, questions, emails and text messages asking why I talk about hockey. Perception is not reality. Many assume that Black people don't like hockey or don't know the game. Wrong. I grew up in Chicago where the Blackhawks were the dominant sports team in a great sports town. They played at the … [Read more...]
Wild hire Bruce Boudreau
Four years in a row the Minnesota Wild have reached the Stanley Cup playoffs, and tickets are very tough to get at Xcel Center — 19,000 occupied seats with standing-room only has been the attendance for virtually all 41 home dates. The Vikings, Twins, Timberwolves, and Gophers would love to have the Wild’s problems, a great home venue and incredible fan support in the state of … [Read more...]
Trials of an Only One in the sport of hockey
This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. We virtually spent a no-diversity weekend at the NHL Stadium Series game, staged for the first time in Minnesota and at the University of Minnesota football stadium. Following is our account set to 1970s hit songs. 1st act “How … [Read more...]
Pro hockey is apparently not for everyone yet
Just as we were about to do our Black fan search in the Gophers’ football stadium concourse, we ran into Anthony Wilson of St. Paul. He was the first Black fan we saw in two days of being at the stadium, where the first regularly scheduled outdoor pro hockey game in Minnesota was staged last weekend. “I think I’ve seen one or two [Blacks],” recalled Wilson when … [Read more...]
Minnesota suddenly ‘Land of the Interims’
After eight straight losses, the Minnesota Wild has fired Head Coach Mike Yeo. After a 4-2 loss to the Boston Bruins at Xcel Center Saturday, the team's eighth-straight loss at home, the decision was made to cut ties with Yeo, who was in his fifth season as head coach. The Wild have been in the playoffs the last three years, and expectations in the State of Hockey for 2016 … [Read more...]
Women’s pro hockey games were first in MN
This column continues the Only One series in which this reporter shares his experiences as the only African American journalist on the scene. History was made recently at University of Minnesota’s Ridder Arena as well as in the state of Minnesota. The first professional women’s hockey game ever played here — actually the first and second such contests — took place between … [Read more...]
New pro league shoots high goals for women’s hockey
The National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL)’s first weekend of play is now history. Connecticut, New York, Boston and Buffalo, the four founding teams, each will play nine home games and nine away games, facing each other six times and again in the playoffs. The first NWHL All-Star game is scheduled for January 24, 2016 in Buffalo. When asked, Minnesota Women’s Hockey … [Read more...]
Hockey player a pro sports pioneer
Blake Bolden the first Black player in new women’s league Blake Bolden is an honest-to-goodness professional hockey player. She is among the pioneering players in the inaugural National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL), which began this past weekend. Bolden played for two seasons in the Canadian Women’s Hockey League (CWHL), but she and the other players … [Read more...]