Bob McKenzie's Draft Ranking - June 23 5:30PM MT - TSN

[Point Blank]

“I think colour definitely plays a factor in perception,” said Ho-Sang.

“People watch my games and are very critical. When I start dangling, my GM calls me a Harlem Globetrotter. Why am I a Harlem Globetrotter? Analogies get related to basketball all the time with me. I don’t play basketball. I’ve never played basketball. I’m a hockey player. Why are they doing that?

“When I do anything, I’m just another black kid with attitude. I think I get misunderstood because these guys want to figure me out without talking to me and try to come up with every single reason why there’s something wrong with me.

I don't claim to know more than the other 12 teams that didn't bother to interview him, but honestly I didn't have much of an issue with what he said, he is passionate, maybe some teams believe he can continue to mature and change that ego to positive confidence. I haven't heard him anywhere else but the content seemed fine to me in that entire article until he brought this race issue up.

The only person being discriminatory is Ho-Sang. Okay sure his coach referenced him to a basketball player, but is that honestly how sensitive things have become that even that would be implied as being discriminatory? I'm ethnically Chinese, and when I was in Canada, people always reference me to well known Chinese people like Jackie Chan or Jet Li, there's nothing wrong with that. If you did the same reference to white people in North America, people wouldn't even blink an eye, but somehow this was warranted mention in a news article.

He has black skin cool, I don't believe that has anything to do with people seeing seeing his talent, proportionally speaking, much more black people play basketball than white people do. I don't think that the large majority had any reservations with drafting him earlier based on pure skill alone.

He's a dynamic player that is absolutely without question, but if he thinks the his skin has factored into why some NHL teams see he has some attitude problems, then I can see why some teams would steer clear from him.

[Machiavelli]

The Canadian-born 17-year-old’s father is a black Jamaican of Chinese descent, his mother is Chilean with Russian and Swedish bloodlines, and is Jewish. It’s not unusual to hear Spanish spoken in the Ho-Sang household, where Chanukah and Christmas are celebrated.

http://colorofhockey.com/2013/10/25/...in-the-making/

That's pretty freaking cool.

He shouldn't use race as a crutch.

[loob job]

As long as Edmonton stays at number 3 i think there's a shot that we get one of the Sam's.

[bubbsy]

ho-sang is really a mystery prospect in this draft. could go 10-20 or even 2nd, heck 3rd round.

i don't care about the attitude stuff, it sounds like he's very/over-confident to the point of being cocky. I don't mind that stuff as much as him trying to do too much on the ice and not using his linemates enough.

I would be downright shocked if the flames pick him, though i think i'd be a bit excited to see it happen. I think he could be a solid player in the nhl one day.

[DJones]

Ho-Sang seems like an aware kid just with some perception issues. Sounds like he'd be grateful for whatever team picked him and not being the best on the team anymore would be humbling.

I'd take him in the second for sure.

[bubbsy]

Originally Posted by DJones

Ho-Sang seems like an aware kid just with some perception issues. Sounds like he'd be grateful for whatever team picked him and not being the best on the team anymore would be humbling.

I'd take him in the second for sure.

why i think burke steers clear:

So that’s a priority for us. We do have a DND list, Do Not Draft. Some teams will evaluate a guy and say ‘He has NHL skills, but he’s a head case, so put him in the second round.’ To me, he’s still a head case in the second round, so we just take him off the list.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by albertGQ

I recall Getzlaf slipping but don't think he was ever touted as a top 3 pick

No, but he was ranked 5th by central Scouting

[bigtmac19]

I wouldn't be surprised at all if some of his attitude problems have stemmed from the tension between him and Warren Rychel, indicated in the article. Rychel has always had an agenda with respect to promoting his kid and getting him into the NHL. The first year Kirby was on the team he was absolutely horrendous! No way he should have taken a spot from someone. When Ho-Sang came along who was clearly so far above Kirby's skill level it probably caused Warren concern with respect to his kid getting noticed.

[Huntingwhale]

I know nothing about Ho Sang other then what I've read, but it's very clearly a red flag when many of the interviewers at the combine come out it saying to avoid him. They obviously know/heard things that we don't hear. I just don't see him as a good fit with these so called character issues. No different then a guy getting hired in an office downtown who may be the best worker, but acts like an ass to everyone and ruins the office chemistry. Just not worth it in such a crucial time in the rebuild. Is it really worth having a guy on the team who can score 30+ goals, while at the same time ruining the dressing room and becoming a handful for the coaches? Combine interviews are done to bring issues like this to the forefront and clearly some issues were identified.

“I think colour definitely plays a factor in perception,” said Ho-Sang.

“People watch my games and are very critical. When I start dangling, my GM calls me a Harlem Globetrotter. Why am I a Harlem Globetrotter? Analogies get related to basketball all the time with me. I don’t play basketball. I’ve never played basketball. I’m a hockey player. Why are they doing that?

“When I do anything, I’m just another black kid with attitude. I think I get misunderstood because these guys want to figure me out without talking to me and try to come up with every single reason why there’s something wrong with me.

Or maybe you're just a kid with an attitude. For him to play the race card is just pathetic. No one cares if he's black, white, blue or salmon color. As management said, skill isn't everything. Character plays a role. I trust the Flames will make the right choice.

[RyZ]

I honestly see a 600 goal, 1300 pt player in Ho Sang.

[terminator]

I thought hosang was japanese or asian.

[saillias]

Originally Posted by Huntingwhale

I know nothing about Ho Sang other then what I've read, but it's very clearly a red flag when many of the interviewers at the combine come out it saying to avoid him. They obviously know/heard things that we don't hear. I just don't see him as a good fit with these so called character issues. No different then a guy getting hired in an office downtown who may be the best worker, but acts like an ass to everyone and ruins the office chemistry. Just not worth it in such a crucial time in the rebuild. Is it really worth having a guy on the team who can score 30+ goals, while at the same time ruining the dressing room and becoming a handful for the coaches? Combine interviews are done to bring issues like this to the forefront and clearly some issues were identified.



Or maybe you're just a kid with an attitude. For him to play the race card is just pathetic. No one cares if he's black, white, blue or salmon color. As management said, skill isn't everything. Character plays a role. I trust the Flames will make the right choice.

Nothing like that white, privileged hockey culture to refuse to acknowledge racism and call the kid pathetic for "playing the race card."

His own GM calls him a "Harlem Globetrotter" for dangling. Piss off.

[dammage79]

Ho-Sang would be a good pick in the second round. Some team will take him. Too skilled not to be taken.

What he needs to learn is to focus all his energy towards proving he is a great hockey player and not speaking his mind. Its clear he is easily distracted by exterior problems that he may or may not be projecting.

Just play the game and shut everyone up with what you do on the ice.

Skill wise the Flames should take him. But the baggage he carries around with him needs to be ironed out. I wonder if the Flames organization could actually be patient with him.

[RUS]

I hope I will see Bennett in jersey of Flames!

[The Fonz]

Can't stand his use of the race card.

People knocked Schremp because while he was extremely skilled, he had character issues, did too much dangling, and didn't utilize his teammates. It was deserved criticism.

People knock Ho-Sang for behaving the same way... and it's because he's black?

Such a bitch move.

[GGG]

Sign me up to take him with the Colorado second. If he busts out he busts out but if you can draft that level of skill late in the second round regardless of the red flags you do it.

To deny that racisim exists in hockey is burying your head in the sand. I think it is mostly his attitude, Kane took a lot of flack for his attitude as well but there is definately an element of racism in it. Look at Boston fans reaction to PK Subban.

If he falls to 40 you have to take him

[bax]

Originally Posted by saillias

Nothing like that white, privileged hockey culture to refuse to acknowledge racism and call the kid pathetic for "playing the race card."

His own GM calls him a "Harlem Globetrotter" for dangling. Piss off.

Oh come on, the Globetrotter comment has nothing to do with the color of his skin. It's an analogy that when he dangles around the ice and ignores his teammates, he isn't playing hockey the right way. The Globetrotters have undeniable "trick" skills, but they are putting on a show, not playing a competitive sport.

He is no different than Schremp

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by The Fonz

Can anyone think of a top-skilled player who slipped in the draft 20 spots, and went on to have a solid career?

I'm honestly wondering.

Hudler?

[ForeverFlameFan]

I don't really want to pick Ho-Sang with the 34th either. Would rather take a defenseman with that pick. If he's available at 54 (which is highly unlikely), I'd take a chance with him.

Just think about whatever prospect we pick at #54, we think: Berra for ______. Any prospect will beat Berra lol.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by saillias

Nothing like that white, privileged hockey culture to refuse to acknowledge racism

Quoted for absolute truth.