The first black American in the NHL tells his story Val James became the first BLACK player in the NHL when he took to the ice using the Buffalo Sabres in 1982, and in 1987 he became the first black player of any nationality to skate for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Created in central Florida, Adam was raised on Long Isle and received his first couple of skates for his 13th birthday. At 16, James left home to play in Canada, where he was the just dark person in junior and, often, in the complete town. While popular for his challenging play and winning personality, the teen encountered racist taunts at opposing arenas, as well as the prejudice continuing at all degrees of the game. In his two NHL stints, James described himself as a good team participant and opposition, known for his pugilistic skills. Black Ice may be the untold tale of the trail-blazing athlete who endured and overcame discrimination to understand his dreams and be an inspiration for future decades.