Hockey Historical Highlights

By Glen Goodhand

As near as can be determined, 72 players who count their heritage as Native North American, have been part of NHL rosters during the loop’s 102-year history. The most recent addition to this troop is Cody McCormick who joined the Colorado Avalanche in 2003/2004.
Determining who was the first is a more challenging assignment. For several years that distinction was granted to Fred Sasaskamoose, repeatedly referred to as the “first treaty Indian to make it to the NHL”. Technically, it would appear that Paul Jacob’s one game tilt with the Toronto Arenas in 1918/1919 must be acknowledged as the initial entry of a Red Indian into world’s oldest circuit.
Strangely enough, the early presence of one Clarence “Taffy” Abel in the league was overlooked for several years. He certainly holds the distinction of being the first to continue in the Big Time for the longest duration as a representative of his bloodlines. His career spanned eight seasons, commencing in 1926/1927. The Sault-Ste Marie-born Abel was a giant in his day, standing 6’ 1” and tipping the scales at 225 lbs. He and another devil-may-care giant, “Ching” Johnson, struck fear into players seeking to get close to the New York Rangers net in the roaring twenties. He is a member of the Indian Athletic Hall Of Fame.

In 1933/1934 Jamie Jamieson pulled on the Broadway Blueshirts colours for a single match. His entry and exit caused little stir.
It wasn’t until the aforementioned Sasakamoose had a stint with the Blackhawks that the press made a big fuss about an Aboriginal stepping into the big league spotlight. Part of it was because he came straight off the Sandy Lake reservation in Saskatchewan. He never took the game seriously, and it was only at the urging of his parents and parish priest he even considered playing Junior Hockey in Moose Jaw.  In 1953/1954 he was promoted to Chicago for 11 games. Possessed with a tremendous shot, his shyness and homesickness hampered his performance. Even his name haunted him. Foster Hewitt tracked him down before a game in Toronto and asked him if he pronounced it, “Saskatchewan-Moose?” His wife refused to leave the reservation so he returned to Sandy Lake later attempting to appease her by playing with pro teams in smaller centres.
But his roots continued to call him home and he abandoned a promising future to become the elected chief of his band.
Before the day of political correctness, every Indian in hockey was called “Chief”. Jim Neilson was no exception. Extremely talented he started his NHL career with the Rangers in 1962. His non-violent approach to shinny caused him to be booed out of the Big Apple. He was traded to California and was still with them when they became the Cleveland Barons.
An amusing story is part and parcel of Neilson’s bio.
In the early 1980’s Edmonton Coach, Glen Sather, promised Montreal scribe, Red Fisher, a painting of an Indian brave which hung in his home. After three years the promise had still not been kept. But finally the big moment came. When Fisher tore off the wrapping he became angry at what he saw. He demanded an explanation.
“Well”, explained Sather. “You wanted an Indian painting, and you got it!”
It was a 16 x 20 of (Indian) Jim Neilson, in full headdress, painting his house!