Brenna Nolan

Hon 301
In the Face Off Circle:
Canadian and American Perceptions of Arabs in the NHL
On June 26, 2009, the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec erupted with boos as the Toronto
Maple Leafs announced their draft pick. With the seventh pick in the 2009 NHL draft, the team
selected Nazem Kadri12. The following minutes were composed of a unique scene to American
viewers as Kadri celebrated with his family including his grandmother who was dressed in the
full hijab. Many viewers from the U.S. assumed boos filling the stadium were a response to the
player and the culture, for in the U.S. it is not unheard of to see negative responses to traditional
Muslim garbs. Further, it is a rare scene to have a Muslim Arab as a high profile athlete in
America. However, the boos in Canada had nothing to do with Islam or Arabness, but rather,
everything to do with an old-school, traditional hockey rivalry14. It did not matter who the Leafs
announced as their pick, Montreal fans would express their hatred for the team, not the
individual. Kadris religion or ethnicity simply did not impact the Canadian fans.
There is a divide in perception in the two countries that compose the NHL that was
evident on this draft day. Where Canada is hardly fazed by the image of an Arab hockey player
hugging his completely covered grandmother, the United States immediately interprets negativity
as a comment on his culture. By examining these contrasting reactions, it can be determined that
the Canadian policy of multiculturalism as an official stance has transformed the way immigrants
are integrated into Canadian culture. The United States less definitive position adds difficulty to
its immigrants as they try to find acceptance in their new country. This trend is exemplified by
the response to ethnic athletes in the National Hockey League dependent on their team cities. In
Toronto, Nazem Kadri has transformed into the face of hockey for Arab youth. He receives

constant attention as a pioneer for the increasing participation of immigrants in hockey. In

contrast, Detroit hardly acknowledges the Arabness of its Arab American player Justin
Abdelkader. This paper suggests the roles of Kadri and Abdelkader in the NHL can be attributed
to a combination of multiculturalism policies along with the importance of hockey in both
Canada and the United States.
Cultural Offsides: Politicizing Sports through Diversity
Sports possess a large role in both Canadian and American society. For this reason, the
responses by professional sports leagues to ethnic and religious differences tend to be dissected
to project a larger, more meaningful position. Unfortunately for the United States, its prominent
sports do not have a history of positive reactions to diversity that challenges the status quo. An
athlete is allowed to have his faith and occasionally preach to its importance; but once an athlete
makes it a dominating part of his identity, it is likely to affect the players treatment by both the
league and fans.
For instance, the National Football League (NFL) struggles mightily to correctly handle
situations where an athlete makes his religion a dominating aspect of his personality. One can
look at Tim Tebow, a talented quarterback whose Christian beliefs often overshadowed his play.
Teams chose not to sign Tebow because they did not want the media attention that was associated
with him because of his outspoken religious personality. One of the most negative beliefs of the
NFL comes from its top executives who consistently articulate opinions like boisterous displays
of faith have no place in football, 7. It does not limit discriminatory attitudes towards outspoken
Christians, but also practicing Muslims who receive as much judgment and even more
condemnation. Touchdown celebrations are always noticed during NFL games, often comical or
dance-themed. However, in 2014 when Muslim safety Husain Abdullah performed a touchdown

celebration with a quick prayer on his knees, he received an unsportsmanlike penalty from the
referee, costing his team fifteen yards for his public display of religion. While Tebows Christian
kneeling celebration was playfully mocked by many, Abdullahs celebration was harshly
criticized. Just be happy he didnt pull out a blade and take the refs head off in front of all those
people was just one of the severely negative comments made by infuriated spectators6. It only
took one prayer of gratitude by a celebrating devout athlete to start a political attack on his
religion.
The NFL is not alone, as the National Basketball Association (NBA) also deals with its
fair share of religious difficulties, once banning a Muslim athlete who refused to stand during the
national anthem because of his Islamic beliefs. American sports leagues continue to argue about
the line between faithful devotion and career professionalism,7. Is it fair to penalize players for
respecting their faith? Should sports leagues have the power to control the messages its players
send? There are certainly existing contradictions in American sports where commissioners
preach inclusiveness and openness only to consequently punish those players who exceed what
the league and fans consider an acceptable amount of religious or cultural expression.
While the NFL and NBA of the United States struggle, the Canadian-centered National
Hockey League (NHL) is one of the most proactive sports organizations in handling situations of
discrimination. It is ironic that the least diverse league, one that is 95% white athletes has the
most effective racial and religious tolerance policies. In the 2012-13 season, only 69 of the 717
players were minorities10. Yet, the NHL mindset is to create a typical workplace where
harassment is not allowed. Being in public limelight should not affect the level of respect an
individual receives because of his race or religion. Trash talking, referred to as chirping in
hockey, is as big a part of the game as scoring. When players are mic-ed up during games in the

NFL, racial slurs can be heard more commonly than one would anticipate. In the NHL, any racial
slur or racially derogatory comments heard earn the guilty player an unsportsmanlike penalty and
potentially a five to ten game suspension. In 2012, Krys Barch asked P.K. Subban, the most
widely-known African American hockey player, if he had slipped on a banana peel, a reference
to black people being called apes or monkeys13. Barch was immediately accessed a penalty, a
stark contrast to the NFL where the ethnically different athlete was the penalized victim for
simply performing a Muslim prayer. The policies in place allow for equal, respectful play on the
ice. But off the ice, there still remains a distinction between minority players in Canada and
America.
Player Profiles: Living the Canadian Dream
Sam Kadri is used to hearing about how he is living the Canadian dream. Playing in the
NHL is typically cited as every young Canadian boys goal. Sam Kadri was no different, but
when he emigrated with his family from Lebanon in 1968 at the age of four, he knew his family
could not afford to sign him up for a hockey league14. Sam had six other siblings and parents
who were working multiple jobs to provide for the family. Early on, Sam decided he would make
sure his children had the opportunity to play hockey. Nazem was born in 1990 and skating two
years later. Having a son grow up to be a top NHL player is the highest goal of any Canadian
father. For Sam Kadri, the Lebanese immigrant, watching Nazem get drafted proved how
immigrant Muslims and their Canadian-born children are seamlessly integrating into Canada and
Canadian culture,12. Being a Muslim Arab-Canadian did not hinder his sons opportunity to
reach the highest milestone for a Canadian male.

Since the draft, Sam has watched his son become a household name in the hockey world,
not only because of his ethnicity, but because of his talent. [Hes] broken down a barrier. Now
its becoming normal for a Muslim to play hockey and play it well,1. Not only has Nazem
created an atmosphere where religion is irrelevant to performance, but his value to the franchise
and league could very well extend far beyond the reach of current NHL markets,12. It is
important to analyze the cultural changes occurring in Canada extending Kadris reach. It no
longer consists predominantly of European descendants. One-fifth of Canadians are foreignborn, with roughly half of the Toronto population being visible minorities8. Hockey can no
longer rely on white youth to fill its minor leagues; the minorities comprise too large a portion of
Canadian youth.
It is often said that hockey has become a victim of complacency, pigeon-holed as an
upper-middle class, white sport to a large degree. Now, with the emergence of an Arab superstar,
the NHL can attract new participants. Kadri is already making an impact as statistics suggest an
increase in the popularity of hockey amongst young Canadian Arabs. They have really taken to
the game, because there is finally a player like them. Kadri recognizes this and has embraced it.
He recently commented, Its one of the things I take pride inI take pride in being a role
modelIm sure theres a lot of little kids out there who are pretty happy to watch me play,14.
Put simply, a lot of Muslim kids are going to start playing hockey because they see someone like
them be successful in that area. In hockey rinks around Canada, spectators hear kids wearing a
jersey with Kadri on the back saying If he wasnt a famous hockey player, I dont think Id be
playing hockey. He inspired me a lot,5.
Interestingly, Justin Abdelkader of the Detroit Red Wings, another highly talented Arab
American hockey player, is not inspiring young Arab youth in Detroit to join their local hockey

team. In fact, without his surname as a hint, one would need to research Abdelkader to learn he is
of Jordanian descent. A portion of this ignorance stems from his appearance. Where Kadri
visually resembles what is typically associated with Arabness, Abdelkader has flowing blonde
hair with blue eyes, looking more like his Swedish teammates than fellow Arab Nazem Kadri.
The confusion stems from the stereotype that all Arabs are dark skinned, a common
misperception in the United States. On Internet forums and fan websites, comments posted
include He doesnt look Arab at all and He is the least Arabic looking person, 15. Similarly,
Abdelkader does not attest to his Arabness in the same way as Kadri. While Kadri embraces his
culture and promotes it as an essential identifier, Abdelkader brushes it off and tries to blend into
the typical hockey culture, downplaying any distinguishing traits outside of hockey skill.
Looking further, one cannot use the excuse of a lack of Arab presence in Abdelkaders
demographic as Detroit is the largest Arab community in the United States. In addition, one
cannot say children in America ignore the NHL when looking for role model athletes as African
American NHL player Dustin Byfuglien receives letters every day from young African American
children saying they started playing hockey because of his influence4. If the Arab population
exists in Detroit and other children are connecting to athletes, there must be a deeper reasoning
for Abdelkaders lack of connection with the Arab youth compared to Kadris position. Their
contrasting reactions to their ethnicities trace to two distinct actualities: multicultural policies in
Canada and the United States and the importance of hockey in each country.
Head-to-Head Matchup: Contrasting Multiculturalism Policies
In 1971, Canada was the first country in the world to adopt multiculturalism as an official
policy. In other words, Canada affirmed the value and dignity of all Canadian citizens

regardless of racial or ethnic origins, language or religious affiliations, 3. In the United States,
no such policy exists. While immigration has a significant presence in the country, immigrants
are not given the same treatment as in Canada. This comparison is often referred to as the
cultural mosaic versus the melting pot 11. Within Canada, immigrants do not face pressure to
assimilate and give up their culture. Rather, the multicultural policy ensures all citizens can
keep their identities, can take pride in their ancestry, and have a sense of belonging, 3. There is
a feeling of security and self-confidence. The mosaic concept represents the co-existence of
multiple ethnicities and religions in society.
Not only does this policy exist in Canada, but the citizens embrace it as a defining factor
of being Canadian. In fact, a 2006 survey revealed that behind only Canadas Charter of Rights
and Freedom, multiculturalism ranked second when citizens were asked What makes you most
proud to be Canadian? 8. They are convinced of the positive economic, political, and social
benefits of immigration2. Once again, this creates an atmosphere of greater acceptance. The
influx of different immigrants constantly changes the landscape of Canada, but the change is one
welcomed by existing citizens.
The United States melting pot mentality is a symbol of immigrants assimilation. The
heterogeneous society becomes homogenous as immigrants are expected to melt to the actual
American culture and society. Upon arrival, immigrants are expected to sacrifice their cultural
identity in order to blend with the existing American culture 11. The value and dignity given to
immigrants in Canada regardless of origin and language is not guaranteed in the United States. In
fact, speaking English can be considered the most important part of assimilating in America.
Multiculturalism is a culture; but it is not a culture that Americans are quite ready to embrace as
their identifier8.

Causing concern, the United States citizens support pluralism, but rarely advocate for
immigration on the ground that it adds to the social fabric of the country. Rather, the common
attitude tends to have an element of condescension. It appears that America typically views
identity as a right, not a value, 2. An immigrant must learn to adapt to American culture before
he can be accepted or acknowledged.
Murtaza Hussain is a Toronto-based writer and analyst focused on Middle East politics.
Born in Pakistan, Hussain moved to Canada with his family during his formative years.
However, it was during a trip to Austria when he recognized how absent the otherness of
minorities is in Canada. Hussains first experience of immigrant complaints came during his first
cab ride. Hussain writes:
The Turks they come here but they dont act Austrian, my interlocutor told me in a
voice noticeably rising with indignation. They come, and more and more they stay here,
but they still dont ever become like us. ... Is it the same in Canada? This to me sounded
a bit like an accusation mixed with a question, but I had to say that my answer to this
query was an honest no. 8
Hussain points out that one does not hear such complaints in Canada because the immigrants are
accepted so fluidly. Canadians have a set of values and beliefs which are able to accommodate a
broad range of cultural expressions and do not demand any strict homogeneity. Hussains
experience exemplifies what is expected of immigrants in nations without a defined multicultural
policy. Where Canada has full awareness of the fluidity of its culture, elsewhere there is an
expectation that immigrants will conform tobut not in any meaningful sense changethe
supposedly static national culture of their new homes,8. The United States illustrates this
mindset when it denies identity until immigrants conform to American cultural standards.
Looking at the NHL again, Kadri resides in Toronto, Ontario where he never faces
pressure to suppress his cultural identity. He has the freedom to speak of his faith and ethnicity in

order to inspire those around him. Young immigrants in Canada look at Kadri and can visualize
their own identity. He provides the confidence to embrace their individuality as they participate
in Canadian society. In contrast, Justin Abdelkader in Detroit does not have the opportunity to
project his heritage because his city expects him to adapt American values and traditions.
Promoting his ancestral culture would actually lead to more negative reaction towards it. By
ignoring his culture, Abdelkader opts to evade the media scrutiny by distancing himself from his
ethnicity, better integrating himself into the American culture. If the United States adopted a
policy similar to Canada and its citizens bought into the concept, Abdelkader and other diverse
athletes would be more inclined to share their cultures without the threat of judgment and be an
inspiring example for immigrated youth, similar to Kadris role in Toronto.
MVP Performance: Hockeys Importance in Integration
While contrasting multiculturalism policies explain one aspect of the different responses
to ethnic athletes in Canada and the United States, it is not the whole story. While immigrants
reception upon arrival is determined by such policies, this does not explain why a hockey player
became the face of Arab success in one country, but not the other. To answer this predicament,
one must examine the role the sport plays in assimilation.
In Canada, hockey is a cultural staple. There are few things considered more sacred in the
sports home country. In the same 2006 survey that revealed multiculturalism as the second most
popular reason citizens are proud to be Canadian, hockey landed the third spot, proving just
how essential it is to Canadian identity 8. As a result, aiding immigrants in assimilating must
include a focus on hockey. Growth in the country is stemming from immigration from a lot of
non-hockey-playing countries, mostly from the Mideast, Africa, East and South Asia. The result

is first-generation, Canadian-born children taking to the sport as non-immigrated children do.

They are used to link their parents with the Canadian cultural standard. The biggest avenue for
connecting the two generations is the multiple language broadcasts of hockey games in Canada.
Chak de phatte goal Joffrey Lupul! Toronto Maple Putay! is just a sample of what is
heard on Hockey Night in Canadas Punjabi broadcast with commentators Harnarayan Singh and
Bhola Chauhan10. Once Punjabi, an Indo-Aryan language originated in Pakistan and Indian, grew
to the third most spoken language in Canada at 1.1 million speakers, Hockey Night in Canada
decided it needed to reach this new audience. The result was a broadcast in the foreign language
of a large amount of immigrants. The broadcast marries Canadas national pastime with the
sounds of the Indian subcontinent, providing a glimpse of the changing face of ice hockey, 10.
The complacency and stagnancy of hockey needs to be combatted in order to better bring and
welcome newer Canadians into the country. Former NHL goalie now commentator Kevin
Weekes stated, I dont think our sport truly reflects Canadian society, 1. With the new multilanguage broadcasts, the Canadian cities are trying to reach the new Canadian landscape.
The broadcasts are succeeding. Viewership of the online stream increased 45% in 2012,
and then 229% during 2013 playoff games. With television numbers likely five times the size of
the online numbers, it is clear that the Punjabi broadcast clearly reaches an audience craving
hockey, but needing an alternative language in order to fully comprehend the game. Sometimes,
the non-English language is used as a way to join two generations. Where the children of
immigrants understand the game in English from their assimilation in the education system, their
parents may require their native language to be intrigued. As a result, the broadcast allows
someone whose first language is not English to connect with the sports and between

generations, 10. Whether through weekly hockey games with fellow immigrants or a family
gathering for a big game, hockey stimulates integration.
The integration is most evident on the youth level where hockey is the uniting factor.
Singh, the Punjabi broadcaster, used hockey as a way to make friends throughout school. His
obsession with hockey stemmed from a desire to have something in common with other children
at school, where he was the only minority student at the time. He stated, I wore hockey shirts
because then I didnt have to answer What is that thing on your head? 10. It does not take
immigrant parents long to realize how important participating in a hockey league is to making
friends1. Singh cites his involvement as a child as a distinguishing factor for assimilating so
fluidly with his peers, something not as easily accessible in other countries.
The biggest role hockey plays in Canada is as unifier; not only for immigrants arriving,
but for all citizens during troublesome times. It receives the connotation as the light in dark
times. When a tragedy strikes the nation, Americans react dramatically and enthusiastically as a
country. They look towards their leader, most appropriately the President. While it seems
exaggerated, Canadians actually look towards the NHL as their guiding force. Its citizens define
home as a hockey rink; it is their common bond across all diversity. On October 22, 2014, a
shooting occurred on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, Ontario. It was hours after when the NHL
released its statement telling Canadians sports did not matter on this day and canceling the
games that night. The NHL had the true responsibility of setting the tone going forward. Once it
continued its games, it was understood that everything would be okay. Canadian writer Cathal
Kelly perfectly captured the atmosphere of Canada in her piece following The Hill Shooting:
We are as stiff as our reputationuntil you get us into a hockey arena. It doesnt have to
be a grand place, any little rinkwill do, anywhere in the country. You walk through

those doors and your natural Canadian inhibitions are shed. We are a country of many
faiths, but just the one religion. Its a clich because its true. Everyone in this country
understands that you dont have to play hockey or watch hockey or even like hockey, but
you must respect hockeyWe are at our best together, and we are most often together at
a rink. Its where we feel closest. 9
The clich regarding hockey as a faith is not exclusive to native Canadians. In fact, the
consideration of hockey as a religion turns the country into a single, unified nation despite its
diversity. In broadcaster Singhs home, for every Sikh religious figure on the walls, there is an
equivalent picture of Wayne Gretzky, The Great One, nearby10. NHL stars do not hold as high
a position in the United States.
In the United States, the NHL is considered an entertainment business, nothing more9.
When the Boston bombings occurred in 2012, it was not the Boston Bruins of the NHL that
united the city, but rather the Boston Red Sox of the MLB who became the symbol of city pride
and strength. There lacks a need for hockey in America which hurts its role as an integrator for
immigrants. When Punjabi grew to its current popularity, Canada adapted to ensure those citizens
speaking the growing language would be connected to its pastime. The United States makes no
such attempts to accommodate its newly arriving citizens. In Los Angeles, a city with one of the
best NHL teams, there is an audience consisting of 30% Hispanic fans10. Yet, Los Angeles has
made no effort to start a Spanish broadcast. It assumes those watching the game will adapt as
necessary to enjoy it rather than changing the product itself to be more accessible. With such a
mindset, hockey will never reach the level of popularity it sees in Canada as immigration
continues to rise.
Hockey secures itself as Canadas main toolbox in integrating its arriving immigrants and
their first-generation children. Similarly, Nazem Kadri serves as the key tool for connecting

individuals coming from Arab countries to the primary Canadian pastime. There is no such
strategy to assimilate immigrants in the United States, adding more obstacles for those trying to
gain acceptance in American culture.
Goal Scored: A New Canadian Face to Inspire a Country
It is no surprise to find that Nazem Kadris name translates to leader as he moves
towards being the symbol of change. The young Lebanese-Canadian hockey star quickly altered
the landscape of the National Hockey League in 2009, leading to an increased participation of
Arab youth immigrants in Canada. While Kadri continues to inspire Arab kids to begin playing
hockey, Justin Abdelkader does not embody the same position in Detroit. Despite being a
Jordanian-American, Abdelkader distances himself from his ethnicity as a response to American
culture. The core difference between Kadri and Abdelkader comes from two variances in
Canada and the United States: multiculturalism policies and hockey importance. This paper
shows how a sound, official multiculturalism policy that promotes coexistence rather than
homogeneity allows for immigrant children to have better role models within the sports world,
specifically hockey. Similarly, having a unifying pastime that can connect all generations,
immigrated and non-immigrated citizens allows for a quicker assimilation and acceptance for
individuals arriving from around the world. If the United States and Canada continue to differ in
these two regards, Kadri and Abdelkader will continue to foster very different roles in the
National Hockey League.

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