South Asians in Hockey

Written by: David Singh

Harnarayan Singh on the impact of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada – Punjabi Edition.

“The seniors in the South Asian community have told me that they never really used to have any way to relate to their grandchildren who are born in Canada. The kids want to watch television in English and the elders don’t understand that language as much as it’s new to them. I’ve had some grandparents teary-eyed as they were thanking us for having the show on, saying that having hockey in Punjabi has created a better bond between their families. I’ve had numerous people tell me that three generations sit together and watch the show because the kids are interested in hockey anyhow, being born in Canada, and now the elders can understand the game and become fans.”

For Harnarayan Singh, growing up in the city of Brooks, Alberta, was not the easiest thing to do. As a Sikh boy who donned a turban, Singh clearly looked different than his classmates. Not only was he one of the few Sikhs living in the city, but he was also one of the few visible minorities.

            Singh’s parents were teachers in Brooks from the 1960s until 2000, so his entire family grew up in the small southern Alberta city. Singh admits now that as a child, he found it hard to relate to his classmates. Like any kid who grows up as a minority in such an environment, there are obvious struggles to overcome.

            However, for all his differences, Singh did manage to find something that he could share with his peers – hockey.

            “When I talked to them about hockey, I forgot that I was wearing a turban and looked different,” says Singh. “It really helped me fit in with my friends at school as a kid. I realize now, that this may be one of the reasons I became so in love with the
sport.”

            That love has turned into a career for Singh, who now serves as a commentator on CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada – Punjabi Edition. The popular broadcast, which was recently renewed for a fourth year, has been a hit among South Asians as it allows viewers to watch NHL games in Punjabi. And it’s that continuing adoration, from people of all ages, that serves to highlight the point that hockey is in fact an integral part of the South Asian experience in Canada.

Singh’s childhood story is something mirrored across the country by many South Asians. Whether it’s playing on the neighbourhood street or chatting by the water cooler at work, hockey somehow creeps its way into most facets of life.

“Hockey unites Canadians,” says Singh. “It’s an integral fabric of Canadian culture. Hockey is a way for the South Asian community to take part in Canadian culture with their fellow Canadians.

“It brings a sense of unity.”

With hockey growing rapidly among South Asians, the logical next step would be to see more of the population on the ice, and eventually progressing towards the NHL. That step has already begun in earnest. For example, Manny Malhotra, whose father is Punjabi, is a key player for the Vancouver Canucks, while the organization has also drafted a South Asian prospect named Prabh Rai.

            One of the drawbacks of hockey is that it is naturally an expensive sport to play. The equipment costs of sticks, skates, etc., coupled with the price to enrol in leagues, is likely what has stopped the children of many immigrant parents from playing in the past.

            Ron MacLean, the award-winning host of CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada – the English edition, of course – agrees that finances are a primary factor that has kept minorities away from hockey.

            “One thing you’re obviously seeing is money is an issue,” said MacLean. “If you’re new to the country and not from a good socio-economic background, that’s a challenge. It’s an expensive game.”

However, MacLean says there are efforts being carried out to make hockey more accessible.

 “I think there are great initiatives being made by equipment manufacturers,” he said. “Also by Hockey Canada, to figure out how to build rinks and make it affordable, because unfortunately, we don’t seem to have too many outdoor rinks for the kids to play on. That would be one of the only solutions – more ice readily available.

            “Bottom line is everybody has got to have their feeling like they belong in our game.”

            Don Cherry, venerable hockey icon and MacLean’s partner on Hockey Night in Canada, is admittedly a big fan of Malhotra. Ask about the Canucks centre and Cherry will gush about his skills and capabilities on the ice. For what it’s worth, Cherry doesn’t see any reason why there won’t one day be more Malhotras in the NHL.

            “In hockey, if you’re good enough, you’ll make it,” he said. “It doesn’t matter what you are – Scottish, Irish, Punjabi, Pakistani, it doesn’t matter. If you can put the puck in the net, or you can keep it out, then you’ll make it. There’s no formula.”

            Singh is also filled with hope. He believes that the critical factor of getting kids involved with hockey at a young age is something that has been changing with time, and will only continue to progress in the future.

            “I think when my parent’s generation immigrated to Canada, their main focus was to get their families on solid financial ground so that their children could have a brighter future. They didn’t have the resources to put my generation into sports at that time,” he said.

“I believe that as time goes on and first-generation South Asian Canadians become more and more successful, it will be their children, the second generation South Asian Canadians who will automatically take part in more organized sports, therefore, increasing the chances of minorities making it to the NHL.”

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[Global Punjabi Association]

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