Quinton Byfield was selected second overall in the 2020 NHL draft by the LA Kings. Being selected at number two made him the highest-selected Black player in NHL draft history. The NHL has long been considered a White dominant league with 93% of its players identifying as White, and 7% identifying as varying ethnicities. This racial barrier is not as present in any other of the four Major American Sports Leagues, the next highest group being Black people in the NBA who account for more than 81% of players in the league, quite the opposite of the NHL.
Byfield has publicly stated that he is quite happy being a role model, “it means a lot to me, its something special…” (paragraph 2). The article published by Paige P. goes on to state how the news of Byfield’s selection can be viewed in the critical race theory lens. The LA Kings were able to pick Byfield because of his skill rather than his race.
In an article, Stacy L. Lorenz and Rod Murray outline the efforts to discipline and control young Black males in major sports leagues such as the NHL. This included dress codes, extensive questioning and criticizing of the players. Controversies and studies have surrounded the year 2005-2006 in which a greatly popularized Black player in the NHL, Ray Emery, was victimized by contemporary forms of racism within the NHL. He was put under surveillance and his off-ice activities like getting a tattoo, hanging out at clubs downtown and dressing like a “hip-hop star” were holding Emery back from receiving a starting position. Emery being a talented Black hockey player was seen as a “pollutant” throughout the league. These are examples of the color barrier that exists in this sport. Byfield breaking the record books will not stop the controversial racism in the NHL, but it sure is a start.
D.R.
Sport, Not Games ⚽ 