The val james story from the worlds largest community of readers. Val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for. Black ice the first black american in the nhl tells his story now in trade paper val james received his first pair of skates for his th birthday and by 16, he left his home in new york to play in canada, where he was the only black person on his junior team and, often, in the whole town. The val james story by james, valmore, gallagher, john isbn. Description author details the first black american in the nhl tells his story now in trade paper val james received his first pair of skates for his th birthday and by 16, he left his home in new york to play in canada, where he was the only black person on his junior team and, often, in the whole town. At 16, james left home to play in canada, where he was the only black person in junior and, often, in the whole town.
The val james story a canadian indie book publisher. As wbfos chris caya reports, after lying low since retiring in 1988, he is now talking about his career in a new book called black ice. Andrew bayne memorial library 2 andrew bayne memorial library 2 andrew carnegie free library 1 andrew carnegie free library 1 avalon public library 2 avalon public library 2 baldwin borough library 4 baldwin borough library 4 bethel park public library 11 bethel park public library 11. The first black american in the nhl tells his story val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the toronto maple leafs. After 30 years in silence, he is talking about it now. Black ice valmore james ebooks, guides and tutorials. Jan 30, 2015 james and coauthor john gallagher recount the hostility he endured and the good times the left wing experienced in hockey during the 1970s and 80s in his book, black ice. Why youve never heard of the first black american hockey. Val james became the first americanborn black player in the nhl in 1982. The first black american in the nhl tells his story val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres. At night, after john gallagher prosecuted gang and drug violence, his sporadic search resumed.
It also painted a vivid picture of what life as a minor league hockey player was like in the 70s and 80s. This book was written well and takes you through an interesting story of a black kid from long island who became a professional hockey player. I had first heard of val james in 1997 when i read ross brewitts book sabres. Its a story that deserves to be told and appreciated. Val james, the nhls 1st africanamerican player joins nhl now to discuss his new book black ice, based on his journey to pro hockey. Former sabre talks about overcoming racism in new book black ice. Nhl pioneer val james not bitter about his tortured. I thought i knew val james story pretty well before reading the book, but it turned out that what i knew was barely the tip of the iceberg when it. Val james, the nhls first africanamerican player, tells. Born in central florida, james grew up on long island and received his. While popular for his tough play and winning personality, the. The val james story hardcover february 10, 2015 at desertcart. As first black american nhl player, enforcer was defenseless.
The val james story by valmore james, john gallagher. At 16, james left home to play in canada, where he was the. The first black american hockey player in nhl history is telling his story almost 30 years after he retired. The first black american in the nhl tells his storyval james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the toronto maple leafs. Val james became the first africanamerican player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the toronto maple leafs.
In january 2017 ecw press rereleased the book in paperback format, again coinciding with black history month. Listen to black ice audiobook by val james, john gallagher. This week, ecw press of toronto released black ice. Feb 20, 2015 the first black american hockey player in nhl history is telling his story almost 30 years after he retired. Book description the first black american in the nhl tells his story now in trade paper val james received his first pair of skates for his th birthday and by 16, he left his home in new york to play in canada, where he was the only black person on his junior team and, often, in the whole town. The first black american in the nhl tells his story now in trade paper val james received his first pair of skates for his th birthday and by 16, he left his home in new york to play in canada, where he was the only black person on his junior team and, often, in the whole town. Val james received his first pair of skates for his th birthday and by 16, he left his home in new york to play in canada, where he was the only black person on his junior team and, often, in the whole town. In 1982, val james became the first africanamerican to play in the nhl. The val james story was released by ecw press for worldwide distribution in february 2015, coinciding with black history month. Bob costas, broadcaster for nbc and mlbn black ice is an engaging read that sheds some important light on the subject of racism in hockey. A quick and easy guide to talk, impress, and make anyone like you conversation starters, improve your social skills,how to talk to anyone book 1. Showing results for the black ice harry bosch book 2.
Val james made a big impression on and off the ice sports. The val james story ebook written by valmore james, john gallagher. Born in central florida, james grew up on long island and received his first pair of skates for his th birthday. I was more excited for my twin sons to meet him, and we stood in line telling all the old stories. Just like every other young black child born to southern sharecroppers, i dreamed of playing professional i. Val james was a revered and feared fighter known in hockey as an enforcer during. Amsterdam, north holland, netherlands places librarything. The first black american in the nhl tells his storyval james became th.
In the face of racial taunts on ice and angry mobs outside arenas, val fought his way t. Val james story is compelling, and surprisingly, not widely known. James spoke to the buffalo news earlier this month, to mark the selection of his book black ice. I am sending this book to my older brother who played in the met league. The val james story as the april choice of the buffalo news book club. The val james story hardcover february 10, 2015 buy. Fast and free shipping free returns cash on delivery available on eligible purchase.
A guy behind me in line played with him in college and was his roommate. Val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres. His milestone as the first americanborn black player in the nhl is a mere historical footnote. Former sabre talks about overcoming racism in new book.
Feb 04, 2015 this week, ecw press of toronto released black ice. Hockey pioneer james reveals rough journey in book. From the back cover, val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the toronto maple leafs. Val james overcame tremendous odds to reach the nhl as its first american player who happened to be black. Feb 10, 2015 james, who turns 58 on saturday, will be in rochester on friday. The val james story by valmore james and john gallagher. Best sellers todays deals prime home customer service home improvement electronics new releases books.
Jan 16, 2020 new york one night during val james rookie season with the buffalo sabres in 1982, he was faced with a test of character. Val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buf. Black ice the first black american in the nhl tells his story val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the toronto maple leafs. The val james story, which james wrote with john gallagher, a fellow long islander. The books title is a metaphor for a mirror in the title poem in a book probing the black holes of. Black ice is the untold story of a trailblazing athlete who endured and. This site uses cookies to deliver our services, improve performance, for analytics, and if not signed in for advertising. Val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice with the buffalo sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the toronto maple leafs.
The val james story, we follow james, as he makes the unlikely journey as a young man, transplanted from. While popular for his tough play and winning personality, the teenager faced racist taunts at opposing arenas. Val james received his first pair of skates for his th birthday and by 16, he left his home in new york to play in canada, where he was the only. The racist taunts he got from players and fans were heartbreaking and made you root for mr. From the back cover, val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to the ice. He faced vicious racism, including fans throwing bananas on the ice. While popular for his tough play and winning personality, the teenager faced racist taunts at opposing arenas, and the prejudice continued at all levels of the game. Hes promoting the book he finally wrote, his autobiography black ice.
The val james story by john gallagher and valmore james 2017, trade paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Valmore edwin james born february 14, 1957 is an american former professional ice hockey left winger, as well as defenseman, who played two seasons in. Val james became the first african american player in the nhl when he took to. Kudos to congressman meehan for what he did as a referee. Val james made a big impression on and off the ice. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The first black american in the nhl tells his story now in trade paper.
Val james shares his stories on hockey and racism in new book. There were no interviews, zero traces, and gallagher suspected that james confronted cruel backlash in his attempt to crack a sport dominated by whites. The first black american in the nhl tells his story. On the ice, hockey pioneer val james dominated his opponents. James and coauthor john gallagher recount the hostility he endured and the good times the left wing experienced in hockey during the 1970s and 80s in his book, black ice. Black ice is cool story of val james life blogs uticaod. Valmore james, john gallagher, korey jackson, recorded books. The memoir of denham jolly, in the black, is a very important book. The horizon book of the elizabethan world by lacey baldwin smith. In his two nhl stints, james defined himself as a smart team player and opponent, known for his pugilistic skills. Mar, 2015 granted, val james skated in but 11 nhl games back in the 1980s. Feb 10, 2015 val james made a living in hockey because of his toughness%2c but his biggest battles were off the ice.
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