All Roles Calgary Flames goaltender Grant Fuhr is considered to be the most successful black player in the history of the sport. His success has paved the way for other black goalies like Calgary teammate Fred Brathwaite and N.Y. Islanders Kevin Weekes, now starting in net for their respective clubs. Along with Carter, young black forwards Jarome Iginla from Calgary and American-born Mike Grier from Edmonton have both become offensive leaders on their teams. Iginla, just 22 years old, finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1997 while Grier is gaining a glowing reputation around the league for his scoring touch and hard hits. Speaking of hard hits, there is also a growing legion of black players that, to be blunt, have become known more for what they accomplish with their fists, rather than with their sticks.
Black players are checkers.
Black players are enforcers. We have different roles on a hockey club. Things like that. It didn't bother me. I just wanted to be a hockey player.