Hockey’s ’Ambassador’ Struggling

[Don Wassall]

Haven't heard much about Jarome Iginla this season, so I decided to check his stats: 31 goals, 22 assists, just 53 points in 68 games, or tied for 67th in the scoring race.

He's scored more than 73 points just once in his 9-year career, but the one year he did he won the scoring title (96 points in '01-'02).


Iginla (who is half white) isthe best black scorer ever, but is several notches below the best white players currently in the NHL. But the media has bestowed uponhim the unique black gift of "charisma" as well as promoted him as the nicest human being in history (a title previously held by O.J. Simpson and Warren Moon among others). Maybe he is a genuinely nice guy, but I can't help but root against athletes that are built up into more than what they are, as athletes and people, simply because they have some black ancestry.

 

[Maple Leaf]

Iginla's game is mostly skating, cycling, and shooting. He's no playmaker as his stats indicate (low assits). His stats will certainly continue to drop off lower each year as he's slowing down. That's what happens to players that rely mostly on skating rather than vision and puck control. I also thought he has been given more publicity than he has merited. They sure showed his face alot during the winter olympics.

 

[hedgehog]

I have always noticed that about him every year, his assists are ussually significantly lower than his goals. Another thing I would like to add about Iginla is that he picks up quit a few "garbage goals". I have a friend who is a defensmen in the NHL and I asked him 2-3 years ago what was the best part of Iginla's game and he said the guy is strong and hard to move. I would bet 25% of his goals are rebounds-deflections off the goalie. He is a good player, but was over-hyped due to pigmentation.

 

[Don Wassall]

Apparently NHL players are as well trained as other White people, as a survey of them finds Iginla the Magical Negro voted not only the "best leader" in the NHL, but also the player who "would make the best President/Prime Minister." Good Lord.

Only 21% of the league's players responded, so maybe this represents the league's eager to please metrosexual element rather than the old schoolers. Hey, ya gotta try and look at the bright side, right?


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