5.10.2008

lost history: african-american hockey in canada

Did you know there was an African-American hockey league in Canada? They played from 1895 until 1925, and were innovators of the game. The original players were mostly the descendants of runaway slaves.



A former co-worker of mine from New York found me online and, knowing that I now lived in Canada, sent me these fascinating video clips. One of her cousins, a man named Herbert Carnegie, played in this league. When I looked up his name, I learned that Carnegie was the first African-Canadian hockey player to be offered an NHL contract.

As part of this year's Black History Month, ESPN aired "Black Ice," a film based on a book of the same name by George and Darril Fosty.



My friend's own family history is fascinating, as her family goes back many generations in Harlem. Her grandfather was part of this very famous photo of a gathering of jazz musicians taken on a Harlem sidewalk.

She sent me these clips months ago, and they've been sitting in my inbox ever since. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

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