How Graeme Townshend Turned Impossible to ‘I’m Possible’ as First Jamaican-Born NHL Player
Just even playing one game to me is almost impossible I turned impossible into impossible born in Kingston Jamaica Graham Townsen would one day make history becoming the only player of Jamaican descent to play in the NHL Townson trying to get a handled scores but before that a family move to
Toronto would grow his love for hockey if you want to have friends at least in my neighborhood with all the other kids um you had to play hockey cuz that’s they were doing after falling in love with the game Town’s eyes widen while attending a Maple Leafs game when he
Spotted a player on the Washington Capitals Who Bore a striking resemblance to him the odd adult here and there would say you know black people can’t play hockey and they’d give us all these excuses and reasons why we couldn’t do it all these physical reasons or whatever so I I in instantly thought
That these adults have no idea what they’re talking about because there’s Mike Marsen right there he’s black and he’s playing in the NHL so when I saw him there for me that meant that I could do it it was possible for me to get there too fueled by this inspirational moment
Graham Townsen dedicated himself to one day Dawn and NHL jersey his dream came true making his NHL debut with the Bruins in 1990 against the Canadians what a way to to have your debut you’re playing for the Bruins against the M Canadians you can’t pick a better scenario than that grah towns and
What a big guy he is strong young man and I’m looking over there I see Patrick W and you know GE Carbono anding I can’t believe this and so I thought I was dreaming so I decided I’m going to bite my tongue i b it and it hurt and I
Realized I wasn’t dreaming and then I realized oh my God that’s the mtal Canadians you better stop daydreaming here buddy cuz they’re going to kill you they went at it the two Wingers Martinson and Townson I remember thinking everything I’ve done to get to this moment was worth it and I would do
It over again in a heartbeat just even playing one game to me is almost impossible Thom I turned impossible into I’m possible you know and uh that was a great moment for me personally
In his 1990 debut with the Boston Bruins, Graeme Townshend became the first player in NHL history of Jamaican descent to play in the league. Graeme shares his journey to the NHL and the impact of representation in the league for aspiring black hockey players.
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1 Comment
Growing up in the late 80’s early 90’s you don’t know what these guys went through to get there. Seeing this and knowing what he was facing back then has made him that much more important to the bruins franchise and future black athletes who got to see him show it could be done