[News] Hockey Diversity Alliance, NHL at odds

[Reggie Dunlop]

From last week.

The Flames' Nazim Kadri is a board member of the HDA.

Not sure if all this is related to the Evander Kane statement today.. although it seems possible.

A player-led initiative being usurped by the league creating a duplicate committee, apparently.

Akim Aliu and his fellow members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance say they feel betrayed and confused by the NHL’s decision to launch — or as far as the HDA is concerned, re-launch — an inclusion committee to diversify the sport and make hockey more welcoming.

Whatever happened, Aliu wondered, to the league announcing a partnership with the HDA to address the same issues three years ago? And why, the HDA wondered in releasing a scathing statement Wednesday, is the NHL essentially duplicating what they’ve been doing by funneling millions into programs at the grassroots level and introducing hockey to at-risk youths in under-served communities of color?

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced the formation of a 20-player committee of current and former players, and earmarked $1 million to support grassroots organizations, player-perspective storytelling and other special projects. Chaired by former NHL players Anson Carter and P.K. Subban, the NHL notes the coalition being formed in 2020, without mentioning the HDA, which was specifically referenced in a similar announcement made in September of that year.

https://apnews.com/article/hda-aliu-...a0fbb0534a35ee

[Mr.Coffee]

Why are they doing these things Akim?

One word: control.

[Reggie Dunlop]

There's no doubt that Akim Aliu is a strong personality, but then why isn't Evander Kane on the other committee?

[Chingas]

Why is/was Evander Kane on any committee?

[Samonadreau]

Originally Posted by Chingas

Why is/was Evander Kane on any committee?

Because hes black. If you're honestly asking.

[jayswin]

Even putting aside the shenanigans by the league, $1mil for an organization this big is like flicking a few pennies for them to run for and saying "see, we care".

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced the formation of a 20-player committee of current and former players, and earmarked $1 million to support grassroots organizations, player-perspective storytelling and other special projects. Chaired by former NHL players Anson Carter and P.K. Subban, the NHL notes the coalition being formed in 2020, without mentioning the HDA, which was specifically referenced in a similar announcement made in September of that year.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Originally Posted by Chingas

Why is/was Evander Kane on any committee?

Who knows.

It started as an ad hoc/volunteer thing, Perhaps he (or an advisor) thought it was a way to rehabilitate his public image?

Doesn't sound like he did an awful lot for it, other than lending his name to it.

[browna]

My guess is the HDA as a whole has been difficult to work with as far as the league is concerned, the past years.

Without gaining any traction with them on the issues the League wants to address, they are starting something up in their own. Yes, control, but also to get things moving along in the right direction sooner than later.

[Reggie Dunlop]

And their first course of action was to cancel Black History Month and other diversity-themed warm up jerseys.

[Hack&Lube]

the HDA just denounced Evander Kane as claiming to be part of them when he was kicked out years ago due to his off-ice issues.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1679985621434085376?s=20

[dino7c]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

the HDA just denounced Evander Kane as claiming to be part of them when he was kicked out years ago due to his off-ice issues.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1679985621434085376?s=20

He posts GOP nonsense on twitter he obviously isn't the right guy for the job

[btimbit]

Originally Posted by Mr.Coffee

Why are they doing these things Akim?

One word: control.

Exactly. To quote, (well, paraphrase) Brian Burke, if there's one thing the NHL hates, it's being reminded of their own mistakes

They want to be able to control this narrative

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by jayswin

Even putting aside the shenanigans by the league, $1mil for an organization this big is like flicking a few pennies for them to run for and saying "see, we care".

It shows how much they really do care. The NHL is a 5.2 billion dollar industry. It is an industry that has had multiple racism incidents involving its players including one this past week. They primarily appeal to a white audience. They decide they will give 1/5,200,000 of their annual gross revenue to try to make hockey more diverse and more welcoming.

In the same week the NHLPA sends a huge congrats to Thomas Griess for a great career in the NHL and the great job he did representing Germany. Griess was banned from playing for Germany internationally by Germany for his weird obsession with Nazi Germany.

This is the NHL. These are their priorities.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by Reggie Dunlop

There's no doubt that Akim Aliu is a strong personality, but then why isn't Evander Kane on the other committee?

Because he probably doesnt want to be just 'Joe Blow Volunteer.'

But people engaged in Bankruptcy proceedings cant sit on boards or be executives of non-profits.

So if he doesnt want to do the menial volunteer work and he cant be in any form of executive control level then he's going to stamp his feet, throw a good ol' childish tantrum and take his ball and go home.

Unfortunately his ball has been re-possessed. As has his home.

[sketchyt]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

the HDA just denounced Evander Kane as claiming to be part of them when he was kicked out years ago due to his off-ice issues.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1679985621434085376?s=20

Maybe he's only a second tier supporter.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Hack&Lube

the HDA just denounced Evander Kane as claiming to be part of them when he was kicked out years ago due to his off-ice issues.

https://twitter.com/user/status/1679985621434085376?s=20

Well they still have his picture and name featured prominently on their website.

Perhaps Kane is trying to avoid the smoke for when he inevitably ends up in player safety's crosshairs.

Akim Aliu is 100% right in what he is saying about the NHL in his recent twitter rants, but you know the way it is worded is pissing the NHL off.

[Aarongavey]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Well they still have his picture and name featured prominently on their website.

Perhaps Kane is trying to avoid the smoke for when he inevitably ends up in player safety's crosshairs.

Akim Aliu is 100% right in what he is saying about the NHL in his recent twitter rants, but you know the way it is worded is pissing the NHL off.

There is a NHL bus and there is a NHL seating order. I am glad he is saying it, the NHL is stuck in the 1960’s, they are embarrassing on all these types of issues.

[CroFlames]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

It shows how much they really do care. The NHL is a 5.2 billion dollar industry. It is an industry that has had multiple racism incidents involving its players including one this past week. They primarily appeal to a white audience. They decide they will give 1/5,200,000 of their annual gross revenue to try to make hockey more diverse and more welcoming.

In the same week the NHLPA sends a huge congrats to Thomas Griess for a great career in the NHL and the great job he did representing Germany. Griess was banned from playing for Germany internationally by Germany for his weird obsession with Nazi Germany.

This is the NHL. These are their priorities.

I had no clue Griess was a nazi.

Dang.

[1qqaaz]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

It shows how much they really do care. The NHL is a 5.2 billion dollar industry. It is an industry that has had multiple racism incidents involving its players including one this past week. They primarily appeal to a white audience. They decide they will give 1/5,200,000 of their annual gross revenue to try to make hockey more diverse and more welcoming.

In the same week the NHLPA sends a huge congrats to Thomas Griess for a great career in the NHL and the great job he did representing Germany. Griess was banned from playing for Germany internationally by Germany for his weird obsession with Nazi Germany.

This is the NHL. These are their priorities.

I may not be a calculator, but I'm pretty sure 1 million is actually 1/5,200th of their annual gross revenue.

[GirlySports]

Hockey is so behind everything.

Even baseball is hip now.