If Woody Hudson sat in the middle of a crowded mall and asked shoppers to guess what sport he played, I bet a few dollars the majority would not say hockey. The myth that Black people do not play hockey has been embedded in the culture for so long, who knows where it came from or who started it.
Of course it’s natural to believe such a myth since you’ll likely see a Black man swim (Cullen Jones) before you see a Black man in a hockey rink, but Hudson is proof the myth should forever be debunked. A native of Greece, N.Y., Hudson is currently a forward for the Indiana Ice after a great season with the Milton Academy in New York where he was second in points (34) and assists (18). Before the team’s home opener Oct. 15, Hudson, 19, talked with the Recorder about how the movie “The Mighty Ducks” inspired him.
Recorder: How did you become interested in hockey?
Hudson: After I saw the movie “The Mighty Ducks,” I became more interested in the sport. I played football, but the reason I don’t like football is because you have to depend on too many people. In the movie, the main character was able to boost his team and everybody was closer knit than the football team and I liked that.
What hockey players do you admire?
Peter Forsberg, Jarome Iginla and Pavel Datsyuk.
Do you want to encourage more Black youth to play hockey?
Absolutely. When I started there weren’t many African-Americans playing hockey, only Jarome Iginla and a few others. When I started playing it was only me and everyone knew me because I was the only Black kid who played in Rochester (New York). It would be nice if more Black kids played so you’re not the only one and you focus on the sport and enjoy it.
What do you hope to accomplish this season with the Ice?
I’m already committed to play at Rochester Institute of Technology. I’m just trying to draw as much professional attention as I can before I start so if I continue playing after college I have the best opportunity.
After hockey, what would you like to do professionally?
I’m thinking about pre-law or business, but I’m not sure yet. My dad tells me to explore and I’ll find what I like.
