'Black Ice' screens in Montreal with closer look at racism in hockey
A documentary called 'Black Ice' is screening at the Bell Centre Tuesday night, taking a look at racism in Canadian hockey as experienced by the athletes themselves.
It’s a raw take on the struggles and setbacks faced by pro hockey players of colour.
'Black Ice' features interviews with Wayne Simmonds, Akim Aliu and P.K. Subban revealing their hateful experiences with racism in hockey.
"The Black experience has always been tied to hockey and I think that's something we don't think about enough," said Academy-Award nominated director Hubert Davis.
Davis took a closer look at a specific chapter in Black history, when the all-pro Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes saw action in the early 1900s.
"I was just blown away that it existed and we didn't really know much about it," said Davis, who said he thinks those hockey pioneers would be more celebrated if not for the colour of their skin.
'Black Ice' also revisits pioneering players like Herb Carnegie and Willie O'Ree, who was the first Black player in the NHL. Both saw their careers stunted by racism -- something Davis said still happens.
"I think if you’re trying to say, 'This problem doesn't exist so therefore I don't have to talk about it,' [it's] kind of like putting your head in the sand," said Davis.
In the film, players say they need to be seen for their talent, not their colour.
"These are things that we're facing today, and really, they came forward and they had the courage to tell their stories because they want it to change for the next generation," said Davis.
The documentary discusses how change in hockey culture has to come from the top down in the leagues.
"These things happen over and over again, but it's how we deal with them, so I think that's the positive impact is from organizations that are taking a look at it and bringing in people, educators that understand and seeing it can change," said Davis.
These athletes of colour said they shared taunts and torments they endured so they can see change.
"They wouldn't put up with what they put up with if they didn't love the sport and for so many of them, that's how they've made their livelihoods, it's how they built community," said the director. "There's something beautiful about the sport and that's what they're fighting for, their place in it."
'Black Ice' is screening for Black History Month at Taverne 1909 in the Bell Centre, with a Q&A afterwards. The event runs from 6 to 9 p.m. and is free of charge.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6979388.1722030190!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Celine Dion delivers stirring comeback performance at Paris Olympics opening ceremony
Against the rainy Paris night sky, Celine Dion staged the comeback of her career with a powerful performance from the Eiffel Tower to open the Olympic Games.
Jasper wildfire: 'Several weeks' before Jasper can return, premier says
Premier Danielle Smith said Friday afternoon in Hinton while weather conditions are cooler, the Jasper fire is still considered out of control and that Jasper residents can expect to be away from their homes "for several weeks."
Driver charged after flashing high beams at approaching police
Orillia OPP arrested and charged a driver with impaired driving after flashing their high beams.
Missing 3-year-old boy found dead in creek in Mississauga: police
A three-year-old boy has been found dead a day after he went missing in a park in Mississauga, Peel police say.
Irish museum pulls Sinead O'Connor waxwork after just one day due to backlash
An Irish museum will withdraw a waxwork of singer-songwriter Sinéad O’Connor just one day after installing it, following a backlash from her family and the public, it told CNN in a statement on Friday.
Turpel-Lafond won't sue CBC over Cree heritage report that took 'heavy toll': lawyer
The lawyer for a former judge whose claims to be Cree were questioned in a CBC investigation says his client is not considering legal action against the broadcaster after the Law Society of British Columbia this week backed her claims of Indigenous heritage.
Winnipeg senior's account overdrawn for $146,000 water bill
A Winnipeg senior is getting soaked with a six figure water bill.
Health Canada warns some naloxone kits contain false instructions
Health Canada is warning some take-home naloxone kits come with bad instructions that should be ignored in favour of the correct guidance.
Paris dazzles with a rainy Olympics opening ceremony on the Seine River
Celebrating its reputation as a cradle of revolution, Paris kicked off its first Summer Olympics in a century on Friday with a rain-soaked, rule-breaking opening ceremony studded with stars and fantasy along the Seine River.