Valmore Edwin James is a retired American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 professional ice hockey left wing

Winger (ice hockey)

Winger, in the game of hockey, is a forward position of a player whose primary zone of play on the ice is along the outer playing area. They typically work by flanking the centre forward. Originally the name was given to forward players who went up and down the sides of the rink...

er who played 2 seasons in the National Hockey League

National Hockey League

The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...

 for the Buffalo Sabres

Buffalo Sabres

The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League .-Founding and early success: 1970-71—1980-81:...

 and Toronto Maple Leafs

Toronto Maple Leafs

The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League...

. James was the first African American to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Sabres.

Playing career

James was drafted by the Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings

The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League , and are one of the Original Six teams of the NHL, along with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens, New York...

 in the 16th Round, 184th overall in the 1977 NHL Entry Draft after playing 2 seasons in the QMJHL for the Quebec Remparts

Québec Remparts

There have been two junior ice hockey franchises known as the Quebec Remparts that played in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. The first franchise played from 1969 to 1985; the current franchise has played since 1997. Both franchises were based out of Quebec City, Quebec...

. James made his NHL debut for the Buffalo Sabres during the 1981-82 NHL season

1981-82 NHL season

The 1981–82 NHL season was the 65th season of the National Hockey League. The William M. Jennings Trophy made its debut this year as the trophy for the goaltenders from the team with the fewest goals against...

, playing seven games. His next NHL stint came in the 1986-87 NHL season

1986-87 NHL season

-NHL awards:-All-Star teams:Source: NHL-Scoring Leaders:Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes, PPG = Powerplay Goals, SHG = Shorthanded Goals, GWG = Game Winning Goals-Leading goaltenders:...

 with the Toronto Maple Leafs, playing four games. James, an African-American, was an amateur Golden Gloves boxer and his pugilistic skills were applied in the NHL and AHL (farm system) with considerable success. Spirited bouts and victories over noted ruffians Terry O'Reilly (Boston Bruins) and John Kordic distinguish his record. Even one of the NHL's all-time top enforcers Dave Brown is said to have singled out Val James as one of the hardest punching players he had ever faced. Willie O'Ree

Willie O'Ree

Willie Eldon O'Ree, OC, ONB is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, known best for being the first black player in the National Hockey League. O'Ree played as a winger for the Boston Bruins...

 (Boston Bruins

Boston Bruins

The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts, USA. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League . The team has been in existence since 1924, and is the league's third-oldest team and its oldest in the...

, 1957–1961), a Black Canadian, holds the distinction of being the first black player to play in the NHL.

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