The players of the Colorado Avalanche joined those of other NHL teams in the hub cities of Edmonton and Toronto in a show of unity to end systemic racism.
There were no Stanley Cup Playoff games played on Thursday and there won't be any on Friday either, as the players came together to protest racial injustice in today's society that has again come to the forefront after the shooting of Jacob Blake, a Black man, by a police officer in Kenosha, Wisconsin, on Sunday, Aug. 23. Blake joins Elijah McClain, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd and countless others that have died or been seriously injured due to police brutality, and the millions of people in the United States, Canada and around the globe that continue to face prejudice because of their race.
"Some things are bigger than sports. There comes a time where you got to start acting on your word," said Nazem Kadri of the Avalanche on Thursday afternoon. "You can say [your support], put up signs, and have all that stuff, which is great, but at the end of the day what are we really doing to make a difference? It's that time for action."
Avalanche Players Join in League Solidarity to End Racial Injustice
Playoffs put on hold to continue the conversation
© Andy Devlin/NHLI
© Andy Devlin/NHLI
© Andy Devlin/NHLI
© Andy Devlin/NHLI
© Jeff Vinnick/Getty Images