When Frantz Jean is asked if the National Hockey League (NHL) could do a little more in terms of inclusion, he doesn’t really hesitate before finding an answer: “We can always do more…”
The answer is that of a 51-year-old man, who had to climb the ladder one by one, who had to make his place. First as goalkeeper himself in Montreal; he will go so far as to try his luck at the Canadiens’ camp as a guest in 1991. Then as goalkeeper coach in Quebec junior hockey, with the Moncton Wildcats.
Since 2010, Jean has been a goalie coach with the Tampa Bay Lightning. What has changed ? A bit of everything, of course, but there are some things that haven’t changed that much.
Because hockey, regardless of the size of the arena, can sometimes be a breeding ground for prejudice, for insults on the ice, outside too. Frantz Jean is well aware of all this, but he chose not to stop there, and today, in the middle of Black History Month, he prefers to look straight ahead.
Because he sees light in the distance.
“Of course there are stereotypes in the world of hockey, he begins by admitting. It exists. I have heard comments from fans who are in the stands. Sometimes too, you meet someone who thinks he’s playing a joke on you, and then it’s completely missed. »
There are small comments here and there. It happens. But I think that’s changing…
Frantz Jean
The coach is aware of the weight of the past. After all, the NHL starts from afar; just a few years ago, the mere presence of a black player was a source of discussion, for better or for worse.
On the big stage of social change, the NHL has the reputation of a circuit that lags behind the others – the case of Russian defenseman Ivan Provorov, of the Philadelphia Flyers, came to remind us of this again recently.
” Awareness “
Frantz Jean, however, refuses to believe that his own world, that of hockey, is worse than the others.
“I grew up in Montreal, from a Haitian father and a Quebec mother who is white. Over time, in the world of hockey, I saw people of my color, and that proved to me that the dream is possible. I read about Willie O’Ree, about Herb Carnegie. I notice that all over the league, we hire people like Blake Bolden [ex-joueuse engagée par le service de recrutement des Kings de Los Angeles].
“Also, I think there has been an awareness over the past few years. We saw it with the Black Lives Matter movement, we saw it in the NBA. In the NHL, I think we have no choice: we also have to make this awareness.
“In the league, I feel that there is now a greater openness of spirit, that we do more awareness. But hockey isn’t just the NHL; it’s all around. It’s in cities, neighborhoods. »
We need to make our sport more accessible where there are communities that may not have a great tradition with our sport.
Frantz Jean
For Frantz Jean, Black History Month is a bit like that: an important moment, yes, but also a moment to admire the progress made.
While recognizing that we can always do more.
“It’s a time of year that is meaningful to me, and for a reason: it reminds me of all the sacrifices that have been made. This is proof of success for black people across North America.
“Often, there are unfavorable prejudices that remain. We are going to be associated with negative things, like crime or poverty. So February is the month when we make an effort to promote black culture. It’s a beautiful showcase. It sucks that it’s just one month in the year… but it’s a start. »