Val James: The First African American in the NHL
October 31, 2020
Val James usually enjoys a quiet celebration of the anniversary of becoming the NHL's first Black player born in the United States on Nov. 1, 1981, by toasting the occasion at home with his wife and remembering his late father, who got him started in the sport.
But the Buffalo Sabres and the NHL are changing James' low-key approach Sunday by paying tribute to the 63-year-old retired forward on the 39th anniversary of his first NHL game for overcoming stark racism throughout his career and helping to pave the way for other Black players born in the United States to enter the League.
"I feel very humbled," James said. "I'm very honored at the fact that they wanted to actually play it up a little bit more than they have in previous years. It also gives me a little bit more of a footprint in the sport of hockey as a person of color."
The Sabres unveiled a video tribute to James on Sunday that features footage and photographs from a game during the 1981-82 season against the Montreal Canadiens at Buffalo Memorial Auditorium. It is narrated by Sabres television host Brian Duff.
Buffalo will award 10 scholarships to the Sabres' Learn to Play program in James' honor to give kids their first opportunity to play hockey. The team will work with the Sabres' S.C.O.R.E ball hockey program to identify potential scholarship candidates.
Team president and co-owner Kim Pegula sent congratulatory messages to James via social media, recognizing his historic contribution to hockey.
"On this day back in 1981, Val James advanced the sport of hockey in a very important way," Pegula said. "He laced up his skates for the Sabres and became the first Black American to play in the National Hockey League. As we work to create greater opportunities for people of all backgrounds across all walks of life, we continue to be influenced by Val's accomplishments. We are proud to have him as a member of the Buffalo Sabres family."
Learn More: Color of Hockey: James 'very humbled' to be honored