Val James

Last updated

Val James
Born (1957-02-14) February 14, 1957 (age 67)
Ocala, Florida, U.S.
Height 6 ft 2 in (188 cm)
Weight 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb)
Position Left wing
Shot Left
Played for Buffalo Sabres
Toronto Maple Leafs
NHL draft 184th overall, 1977
Detroit Red Wings
Playing career 1978–1988

Valmore Curtis James [1] (born February 14, 1957) is an American former professional ice hockey player who played 11 games in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs between 1981 and 1986. The rest of his career, which lasted from 1978 to 1988, was spent in various minor leagues. He was the first African-American to play in the National Hockey League (Willie O'Ree was the first black, but is African-Canadian).

Contents

Early life

James was born in Ocala, Florida and raised in Hauppauge, New York. He was one of six children. [2] James began skating and playing ice hockey in Commack, New York where his father was employed as the manager of an ice rink. [3]

Playing career

James was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings in the 16th round, 184th overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft after playing two seasons in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) for the Quebec Remparts, although he never played in any regulation games for the Red Wings. [4] He also played several seasons, in the late 1970s, for the Erie Blades, in the Eastern Hockey League (EHL). James's propensity for using hip checks garnered notoriety in the Erie County Field House, home of the Blades. He signed with the Buffalo Sabres on July 22, 1981. [5] James made his NHL debut for the Sabres during the 1981–82 NHL season, playing seven games. [4] James became the first Black American to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Sabres. [6] He was not the first Black American to be exclusively trained in the country; that milestone did not occur until 1996, when Mike Grier made his NHL debut. [7] James was the first native-born Floridian to play in the NHL. [8]

In 1983, while playing in the American Hockey League (AHL), under the direction of rookie coach Mike Keenan, James scored the winning goal for the Rochester Americans in the Calder Cup. [9]

James' next NHL stint came in the 1986–87 NHL season with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing four games. As an African-American, James often faced situations at all levels of his career where he was the victim of incidents of racial prejudice from opposing fans, and, sometimes, opposing players. [10]

On the ice, James became revered for his fighting ability. Spirited bouts and victories over noted enforcers Terry O'Reilly and John Kordic were part of his record. One of the NHL's all-time top enforcers, Dave Brown, singled out James as one of the hardest punching players, and toughest opponents, he had ever fought. [11] After 14 professional NHL hockey games, a shoulder injury forced James to retire from the sport in 1988. [12] After retirement, he taught hockey for 10 years. [12]

Post-hockey life

After retiring, James settled in the Niagara Region with his wife. [12] His autobiography Black Ice: The Val James Story was released by ECW Press for worldwide distribution in February 2015, coinciding with Black History Month. [13] In January 2017 ECW Press re-released the book in paperback format, again coinciding with Black History Month. [14]

Career statistics

Regular season and playoffs

Regular season Playoffs
Season TeamLeagueGP G A Pts PIM GPGAPtsPIM
1973–74 Midland Athletics MOJHL ——————————
1975–76 Quebec Remparts QMJHL 72141933781506642
1975–76 Quebec Remparts M-Cup —————3101@
1976–77 Quebec RempartsQMJHL68161632891011248
1978–79 Erie Blades NEHL 67142640112—————
1979–80Erie Blades EHL 69121325117901134
1980–81Erie BladesEHL7031821179613430
1980–81 Rochester Americans AHL 300012—————
1981–82 Buffalo Sabres NHL 70001630000
1981–82 Rochester AmericansAHL65549204602216
1982–83 Rochester AmericansAHL68347881610127
1983–84 Rochester AmericansAHL621231221801110
1984–85 Rochester AmericansAHL5514570300015
1985–86 St. Catharines Saints AHL800331621311253
1986–87 Toronto Maple Leafs NHL400014—————
1986–87 Newmarket Saints AHL7443771—————
1987–88 Flint Spirits IHL 820226—————
1987–88 Baltimore Skipjacks AHL90001—————
AHL totals41614203474056246121
NHL totals110003030000

See also

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References

  1. ↑ "The Buffalo News Book Club for April: Black Ice by Val James". The Buffalo News . April 20, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  2. ↑ Moriarity, Tim (March 26, 1982). "Sabres Taking a Look at a LI'er". Newsday.
  3. ↑ Frank, Mark (December 1, 1981). "Popular Val James Works to Fulfill a Dream". UPI.
  4. 1 2 Neveau, Jim (January 16, 2012). "O'Ree, James' Contributions Worth Remembering on MLK Day". www.thehockeywriters.com. Retrieved December 23, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Val James". Hockey Database.com. Retrieved December 26, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Val Edwin James". Legends of Hockey. Hockey Hall of Fame . Retrieved March 26, 2011.
  7. ↑ Allen, Kevin (January 14, 2008). "Willie O'Ree still blazing way in NHL 50 years later". USA Today . Retrieved June 23, 2014.
  8. ↑ "NHL Players Born in Florida, United States". Hockey-Reference.com. January 1, 1970. Retrieved April 30, 2020.
  9. ↑ Best, Neil (February 4, 2014). "Val James shares his stories on hockey and racism in new book 'Black Ice'". No. Online. Newsday. Newsday. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  10. ↑ James, Valmore (2015). Black Ice: The Val James Story. New York City: ECW Press. p. 203. ISBN   978-1-77041-201-9.
  11. ↑ James; Gallagher. Black Ice: The Val James Story.
  12. 1 2 3 Borzi, Pat (February 3, 2015). "N.H.L. Trailblazer Finds Forgiveness in the Tip of a Pen". The New York Times Company. The New York Times. Retrieved February 4, 2015.
  13. ↑ James; Gallagher. Black Ice: The Val James Story. p. 232.
  14. ↑ "Black Ice: The Val James Story". ECW Press Website. ECW Press. Retrieved December 26, 2017.
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