The hockey community has voiced opinions about the current crisis in the United States. We haven’t heard much from the New York Rangers.
As the world watches the United States reeling from days of protest and violence, many in the hockey world have raised their voices. The New York Rangers haven’t done anything yet.
It took a while, but the NHL put out a message about the what is happening in the United States following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis earlier this week. The league tweeted late Sunday night.
Statement from the National Hockey League: pic.twitter.com/F0AagVAg4e
— NHL (@NHL) June 1, 2020
The NHL’s message joined those sent by the Minnesota Wild, Los Angeles Kings, San Jose Sharks and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Wild were the first team to react, three days after Floyd’s death and two days after the first protests.
— Minnesota Wild (@mnwild) May 28, 2020
The Sharks were the first team after the Wild to make a statement on May 29 with the rest coming on Sunday.
Statement from #SJSharks owner Hasso Plattner. pic.twitter.com/Ulqz4ZBwGm
— San Jose Sharks (@SanJoseSharks) May 29, 2020
A message from the Nashville Predators and @BrdgstoneArena: pic.twitter.com/ouOR2p3Zqf
— Nashville Predators (@PredsNHL) May 31, 2020
Statement From The Toronto Maple Leafs pic.twitter.com/JQcCg4gAUg
— Toronto Maple Leafs (@MapleLeafs) June 1, 2020
— LA Kings (@LAKings) May 31, 2020
Even the Seattle NHL franchise, a team that doesn’t have a name yet, posted a message.
We stand in solidarity with the black community and support efforts to end systemic racism. pic.twitter.com/5Nf37dsIlR
— Seattle Kraken (@SeattleKraken) June 1, 2020
It’s curious that with massive protests in New York City, that the Rangers have yet to make any kind of statement.
Players speak out
One of the first NHL players to raise the issue was Blake Wheeler of the Winnipeg Jets who is a native of Minneapolis. He tweeted out the following on Saturday after a night of violence and looting in his hometown.
African American NHL players have been very vocal with J.T. Brown and Evander Kane leading the way. More recently, P.K. and Malcolm Subban, Anthony Duclair and Kevin Weekes have raised their voices along with numerous other NHL players.
Brown was with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2017 when he became the only NHL player to raise a fist during the playing of the national anthem in support of Colin Kaepernick. Brown tweeted the following:
What would you do to prevent your murder? To prevent the murder of your child, brother, sister, friend, community? We tried to peacefully kneel or raise a fist but that made us un-American, a distraction, a son of a bitch. Today I am a thug, but tomorrow will I be a hashtag?
— JT Brown (@JTBrown23) May 29, 2020
Today I saw my community giving, mourning, preaching, singing, cleaning, and demanding justice. Until you’ve walked the streets of America Black, you cannot tell us how to grieve. I am proud of the beauty and strength I saw today. pic.twitter.com/CnQu6Lz5ZW
— JT Brown (@JTBrown23) May 31, 2020
Evander Kane has been very vocal about racism and how it exists in hockey. He responded immediately to FLoyd’s death.
I just signed a petition to demand that the 4 police officers involved in murdered George Floyd be arrested and charged immediately. You should too: https://t.co/NG6ZL53OrO
— Evander Kane (@evanderkane) May 27, 2020
Kane has been very vocal in his support of Akim Aliu who was subjected to racist language by his AHL coach Bill Peters. Peters later resigned as coach of the Calgary Flames.
It’s not just the black players who are speaking out.
I’m going to listen and educate myself. This is a WE problem. This is about human rights. We need to make the world a better place. #JusticeForGeorgeFloyd
— Kyle Turris (@kyleturris) May 30, 2020
— Anze Kopitar (@AnzeKopitar) May 31, 2020
To the Leaders before me who have inspired me to be more, to be better, thank you. pic.twitter.com/nmJFgGFALV
— Connor Carrick (@connorcarrick) May 31, 2020
And Auston Matthews of the Toronto Maple Leafs wrote about his Latino-American heritage.
— Auston Matthews (@AM34) June 1, 2020
The Ranger players
While the organization hasn’t made any formal statement, some Rangers players have.
Anthony DeAngelo retweeted a message from former Blueshirt Kevin Weekes.
Prospect Ty Ronning tweeted in support of George Floyd.
REST IN POWER
— Ty Ronning (@TyRonning7) May 30, 2020
GEORGE FLOYD pic.twitter.com/9VvRxJgNSu
Former Ranger Anthony Duclair also tweeted a positive message.
WE all have a voice, use it. Help create an environment where WE can all be treated equally. No matter what your race, religion or belief you may have, you should not stay silent about social inequality. Please spread the word. #JusticeForAll https://t.co/dxfkUwn7E9
— Anthony Duclair (@aduclair10) May 31, 2020
The organization
There is no mandate for a sports team or an athlete to make statements like these. However, cars are burning and highways are shut down in New York City, fires are burning out of control a block from the White House and many major American cities have imposed curfews. As role models and representatives of our community, teams and athletes should speak out at times like these.
If you go to the official New York Rangers Twitter feed you will find a profile of Libor Hajek, a “name the most pizza toppings” contest and a clip from David Quinn’s new show, but not a peep about the situation that is dominating the conversation throughout this country. We normally keep to the topic of hockey here at Blue Line Station, but this is a story that rises above all sports. New York Rangers, we are waiting.