The NHL is following in the NBA and WNBA’s footsteps by postponing games on Thursday in the wake of the Jacob Blake shooting.
Blake was shot seven times in the back by police in Wisconsin. He is said to be paralyzed from the waist down.
The NHL boycott means the New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Vegas Golden Knights and Vancouver Canucks won’t play on Thursday. It looks like the games will be pushed back a day:
👇 this is what is being discussed now. https://t.co/7dCDI2MI8j
— Darren Dreger (@DarrenDreger) August 27, 2020
The NBA was the first sports league to shut its season down in March after Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert contracted COVID-19.
All the other major sports leagues followed suit, including the NHL.
Now, the NHL is once again following the NBA’s lead by protesting games after the tragic Jacob Blake shooting. While there aren’t many African Americans in the NHL, the league wants to show its support no matter what as Black people continue to get shot by police despite being unarmed, especially after Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba called out the NHL for having games on Wednesday:
“NHL is always last to the party on these topics,” Dumba told Sportsnet 650 in Vancouver on Wednesday, per ESPN.
“It’s kind of sad and disheartening for me and for members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, and I’m sure for other guys across the league. But if no one stands up and does anything, then it’s the same thing. That silence. You’re just outside, looking in on actually being leaders and evoking real change when you have such an opportunity to do so.”
Evander Kane of the San Jose Sharks has also been very outspoken:
We the @TheOfficialHDA have formally requested the @NHL to suspend all playoff games today. We strongly feel this sends a clear message that human rights take priority over sports.
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) August 27, 2020
Exactly. The PLAYERS took a stand today, they stepped up. Proud of my fellow nhl PLAYERS for their action. https://t.co/IKcsvcoUbl
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) August 27, 2020
The WNBA is also postponing games on Thursday:
https://twitter.com/charlottecrrll/status/1299048179397255175
Major League Baseball might also see postponements. There are ongoing discussions, per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal. It would be quite the statement if both MLB and the NHL joined the pro basketball leagues in solidarity.
Follow Us
Subscribe