Nazem Kadri and HDA aim to inspire Toronto youth through hockey
After a few years of work, Nazem Kadri can see the progress the Hockey Diversity Alliance has made, both on the ice and in the faces of those given the chance to try a sport once far from their reach.
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'This is a pretty exciting moment in time,' the Calgary Flames forward said ahead of Saturday's HDA SummerFest for 250 marginalized youth and their families at Canoe Landing Park in downtown Toronto. 'We've been tracking a lot of players, helping to welcome so many to hockey.
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'We provide coaching, ice time and we're so pleased about 50 have gone on to competitive hockey, including Triple A in the GTHL.
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'The introduction is the main thing. Maybe they don't ultimately play, but we help them where they want to go in life. That's the serious potential (of the HDA's mission).'
Article content
On Saturday, Kadri will be joined by a number of HDA executive board members such as another former Leaf, Wayne Simmonds, plus Anthony Duclair, Matt Dumba, Akim Aliu, Chris Stewart and Joel Ward with special guests former NFLers Colin Kaepernick and Marshawn Lynch. The cost-free event will include the kids' families and a road hockey tournament.
Article content
'It's a great mesh of people, really genuine guys (Kaepernick's story of being shunned by football for his personal beliefs is well known),' Kadri said. 'It's great to see the support from non-hockey guys. In a city as multi-national as Toronto, it's so big to have them here.
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'Trying to play sports, it can be hard-hitting for people in some communities. There's certainly difficulty in hockey with costs and finding (arena) facilities. Some events we've sponsored are just to get their feet on the ground, to see what the program is like.
Article content
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'But we can see their happiness. I've had multiple parents come up and thank us and received a few e-mails from people who've benefitted from it.'
Article content
Kadri, the London, Ont.-born grandson of Lebanese immigrants, now has a six-year-old daughter and hopes she grows up playing sports and not thinking twice about the skin colour of her teammates or opponents.
Article content
'Parenting makes you look at life differently,' the 34-year-old Kadri said. 'You start thinking about the next generation and what's to come.'
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Toronto Sun
a day ago
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Could Mitch Marner join Nazem Kadri in the Stanley Cup-winning ex-Leafs club?
Former Toronto forward captured the Cup as part of the Colorado Avalanche in 2022. Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Nazem Kadri of the Colorado Avalanche lifts the Stanley Cup after defeating the Tampa Bay Lightning during the 2022 Stanley Cup final. Getty Images There are certainly more former Maple Leafs in the salary-cap era who've won the Stanley Cup — or been to the final — than there are title banners on Bay Street. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Among those who had an awkward exit but later lifted the trophy, Nazem Kadri had the most memorable quote. While in Toronto, his recklessness in the name of sticking up for teammates or sending foes a message each spring eventually resulted in a trade. 'For everyone who thought I was a liability in playoffs, you can kiss my ass,' the 2022 champion shouted as his Colorado Avalanche celebrated. Amid an NHL-worst 58-year drought, lack of success has been particularly hard to swallow for Leafs Nation loyalists who fawned over then fell out with several stars. Four years before Kadri, Phil Kessel celebrated his second Cup in Pittsburgh after relations soured with the team and fans, followed in 2019 by the highly regarded Tyler Bozak with the Blues and Kessel again with a small role for Vegas in '23. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Since 2021, Zach Hyman has done everything but win it after the beloved home-towner priced himself out of the Leafs budget. He moved from left wing with Auston Matthews to Connor McDavid's flank in Edmonton, where he scored 50 and helped the Oilers to two Stanley Cup finals. Now the concern is whether winger Mitch Marner will haunt the franchise. The fifth-highest scorer in franchise history preferred a deal sending him to the Golden Knights over an extended contract in Toronto, where his lack of playoff production has been under relentless scrutiny. 'It was his time to move on,' Kadri said of his ex-teammate during a chat with the Toronto Sun ahead of the Hockey Diversity Alliance's SummerFest event, taking place this Saturday. 'Maybe every player needs that fresh start. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Mitchy played a lot of good hockey here, a dynamic player to watch with the puck on his stick. Fans should be proud of what he did. 'I want him, all of them, to do well, but not because of (trying to prove fans wrong). It's because you've been in the trenches with them, how all that brought you together. We're still good buddies. I just mentioned to him to watch out because now we're in the same (Pacific) division.' Kadri revealed he was at a couple of the Toronto-Florida Panthers second-round playoff games. The Leafs have not made it to the third round of the playoffs since 2002. 'Sure, I was cheering for them as I always do, but they faced a really great team. I have lot of friends who are still big Leafs fans and I've tried to watch them on TV, too.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More Now 34 years old and about to play his 1,000th regular-season game — potentially in November — Kadri continues to contribute, leading Calgary with 35 goals last season, though the Flames missed the playoffs. It's a reason why some Leafs fans still keep a torch burning for Kadri, especially when general manager Brad Treliving talked of improving the DNA after a rather meek exit to the meaner Panthers. A possible reunion became topical around the time Marner left in July, but Kadri has tried to pump the brakes. He has a seven-year, $49-million US deal that does not expire until 2028-29, though it was signed when Treliving was GM of the Flames. At present, the Leafs have two set centres in Auston Matthews and John Tavares along with the incoming Nicolas Roy. 'That (rumour) certainly picked up momentum,' Kadri said with a laugh. 'Everyone knows my connection with Tree and his family. 'But Calgary is a great city and I certainly enjoy it for the time being. No one knows what the future holds.' lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls World Columnists
National Post
a day ago
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Could Mitch Marner join Nazem Kadri in the Stanley Cup-winning ex-Leafs club?
There are certainly more former Maple Leafs in the salary-cap era who've won the Stanley Cup — or been to the final — than there are title banners on Bay Street. Article content Among those who had an awkward exit but later lifted the trophy, Nazem Kadri had the most memorable quote. Article content Article content While in Toronto, his recklessness in the name of sticking up for teammates or sending foes a message each spring eventually resulted in a trade. Article content 'For everyone who thought I was a liability in playoffs, you can kiss my ass,' the 2022 champion shouted as his Colorado Avalanche celebrated. Article content Amid an NHL-worst 58-year drought, lack of success has been particularly hard to swallow for Leafs Nation loyalists who fawned over then fell out with several stars. Article content Four years before Kadri, Phil Kessel celebrated his second Cup in Pittsburgh after relations soured with the team and fans, followed in 2019 by the highly regarded Tyler Bozak with the Blues and Kessel again with a small role for Vegas in '23. Article content Since 2021, Zach Hyman has done everything but win it after the beloved home-towner priced himself out of the Leafs budget. He moved from left wing with Auston Matthews to Connor McDavid's flank in Edmonton, where he scored 50 and helped the Oilers to two Stanley Cup finals. Article content Article content Now the concern is whether winger Mitch Marner will haunt the franchise. The fifth-highest scorer in franchise history preferred a deal sending him to the Golden Knights over an extended contract in Toronto, where his lack of playoff production has been under relentless scrutiny. Article content Article content 'It was his time to move on,' Kadri said of his ex-teammate during a chat with the Toronto Sun ahead of the Hockey Diversity Alliance's SummerFest event, taking place this Saturday. 'Maybe every player needs that fresh start. Article content Article content 'Mitchy played a lot of good hockey here, a dynamic player to watch with the puck on his stick. Fans should be proud of what he did. Article content 'I want him, all of them, to do well, but not because of (trying to prove fans wrong). It's because you've been in the trenches with them, how all that brought you together. We're still good buddies. I just mentioned to him to watch out because now we're in the same (Pacific) division.' Article content Kadri revealed he was at a couple of the Toronto-Florida Panthers second-round playoff games. The Leafs have not made it to the third round of the playoffs since 2002. Article content 'Sure, I was cheering for them as I always do, but they faced a really great team. I have lot of friends who are still big Leafs fans and I've tried to watch them on TV, too.'
Toronto Sun
a day ago
- Toronto Sun
Nazem Kadri and HDA aim to inspire Toronto youth through hockey
The Hockey Diversity Alliance is seeing positive results from its goal to spread the game's reach. Get the latest from Lance Hornby straight to your inbox Nazem Kadri of the Calgary Flames celebrates his empty net goal against the New Jersey Devils. Photo by Elsa / Getty Images After a few years of work, Nazem Kadri can see the progress the Hockey Diversity Alliance has made, both on the ice and in the faces of those given the chance to try a sport once far from their reach. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account 'This is a pretty exciting moment in time,' the Calgary Flames forward said ahead of Saturday's HDA SummerFest for 250 marginalized youth and their families at Canoe Landing Park in downtown Toronto. 'We've been tracking a lot of players, helping to welcome so many to hockey. 'We provide coaching, ice time and we're so pleased about 50 have gone on to competitive hockey, including Triple A in the GTHL. 'The introduction is the main thing. Maybe they don't ultimately play, but we help them where they want to go in life. That's the serious potential (of the HDA's mission).' On Saturday, Kadri will be joined by a number of HDA executive board members such as another former Leaf, Wayne Simmonds, plus Anthony Duclair, Matt Dumba, Akim Aliu, Chris Stewart and Joel Ward with special guests former NFLers Colin Kaepernick and Marshawn Lynch. The cost-free event will include the kids' families and a road hockey tournament. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It's a great mesh of people, really genuine guys (Kaepernick's story of being shunned by football for his personal beliefs is well known),' Kadri said. 'It's great to see the support from non-hockey guys. In a city as multi-national as Toronto, it's so big to have them here. 'Trying to play sports, it can be hard-hitting for people in some communities. There's certainly difficulty in hockey with costs and finding (arena) facilities. Some events we've sponsored are just to get their feet on the ground, to see what the program is like. 'But we can see their happiness. I've had multiple parents come up and thank us and received a few e-mails from people who've benefitted from it.' Kadri, the London, Ont.-born grandson of Lebanese immigrants, now has a six-year-old daughter and hopes she grows up playing sports and not thinking twice about the skin colour of her teammates or opponents. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Read More 'Parenting makes you look at life differently,' the 34-year-old Kadri said. 'You start thinking about the next generation and what's to come.' Kadri brought the Stanley Cup to a London mosque when his Colorado Avalanche won it in 2022. The NHL counted 20 players of colour in its 2025 June draft, while defenceman Simon Wang became the highest-drafted Chinese player, being selected 33rd overall by San Jose. 'Hockey is part of our national identity,' Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow said in a release to endorse SummerFest. 'Since its inception, HDA has expanded the game to Canadians of every culture, nationality, religion and sexual orientation while fighting discrimination and racism in the game. 'Toronto is the perfect place to host this groundbreaking festival.' lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Sunshine Girls Toronto & GTA Sunshine Girls World Columnists
