Washington Capitals star Joel Ward spoke out about racism in hockey years ago

It took one tweet from never-quite-made-it NHLer Akim Aliu to shine a light on racism in hockey.

Joel Ward actually had a half-decent career in the NHL. And while he was never a "star," he certainly had a starring moment in that Boston series.

Joel passed through Owen Sound as he was coming up, and I had occasion to chat with him now and then. Quite a well-rounded young man by my estimation.

There may be folks who want to dismiss Aliu as a case of sour grapes; he never quite made it, so he blames racism.

Joel made it, and here's what he was saying about racism in the NHL years ago.

https://www.nhl.com/news/washington-capitals-left-winger-joel-ward-deals-with-racist-tweet/c-629915


There's nothing new about racism in hockey.

On the other hand, hockey likely isn't any more racist than the society it's a part of.