Akim Aliu, the former NHLer who’s been an advocate about racism and coaching behavior in hockey, is nearing a return to the National Hockey League.
On Wednesday, insider Frank Seravalli revealed that Aliu has been signed to a professional tryout deal with the AHL’s San Jose Barracuda after Sharks general manager Mike Grier’s attention was caught by the player overseas.
“We wanted to give him an opportunity to see what he can do,” Grier said.
A second-round pick of the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007, Aliu played in seven NHL games with the Calgary Flames. The versatile player, who could come in as winger and defenseman, has since bounced around to various leagues.
He then made headlines when, back in 2019, Bill Peters resigned from his job as head coach of the Calgary Flames following a scandal in which he was alleged to have used racially charged language with Aliu during both Peters’ and Aliu’s time with the AHL’s Rockford IceHogs. Aliu said Peters “dropped the N bomb several times” because he didn’t like the player’s choice of music.
Aliu went on to meet with NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and other league officials about racism in hockey, but his dream to play in the league has never wavered as he now gets a chance in San Jose.
Let's see how he does with the Barracuda and if he can impress GM Mike Grier even more to get a shot at cracking the roster and coming back to the NHL.
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