More than 30 years ago, with no recognition at all, a member of the Buffalo Sabres made history. Valmore James was the first U.S. born African-American to play in the National Hockey League. Even though Canadian Willie O'Ree broke professional hockey's racial barrier in the 1950s by playing what many consider to be a "white man's sport," James was subjected to a lot of bigotry. As WBFO's Chris Caya reports, after lying low since retiring in 1988, he is now talking about his career in a new book called "Black Ice: The Val James Story."
James was in Rochester playing for the Amerks in 1982 when Sabres coach Scotty Bowman called him up to Buffalo. The Sabres were headed to the playoffs against the Boston Bruins. And the 6' 2", 210 pound James was known as an enforcer. He said his role was to even the battlefield against the Bruins' heavyweights.
Along with the Sabres James also played for the Toronto Maple Leafs. But most of his 15 year professional career was spent in the minors, including with the Erie Blades, St. Catharines Saints, and the Rochester Amerks. He was never one to back down from a fight.
In fact James scored the game-winning goal for the Amerks in the 1983 Calder Cup finals. In 253 games with Rochester he racked up 24 points and nearly 500 penalty minutes. No matter where he played though the "n-word" and other racist insults followed.
The worst of it though came from fans who he couldn't touch. James admits after a while the bigotry took its toll.
After retiring due to an injury he said he couldn't watch hockey for ten years. But James says he harbors no animosity towards the bigots he encountered.
James, who grew up on Long Island, got a late start playing hockey when he got a pair of ice skates for his 13th birthday. The message he hopes to get across in Black Ice is not just about hockey or the taunting he was subjected to.
James, who now lives in Niagara Falls, Ontario, recently got in contact with church leaders in Buffalo. His goal is to share his message with young people. Former Buffalo Sabre Val James' new book is called Black Ice.