Nazem Kadri celebrates his victory at a mosque in Ontario, Canada.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, ONTARIO — Canadian hockey star Nazem Kadri would be the first Muslim to be on the Stanley Cup-winning team. After the victory, he returned to his hometown of London, Ontario to celebrate the historic victory with the Muslim community.
As a Muslim, Kadri’s return to his hometown is very special. Indeed, in 2021, four members of a Muslim family were run over and killed by a driver of a half-tonne lorry in London, an act police say was motivated by hate.
The 31-year-old showed his pride in his Muslim identity by leading a parade last Saturday from the London Mosque. Kadri enjoyed a stellar career in 2022 as a member of the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL) and helped his team win the Cup.
Kadri, is the only son of five children of Lebanese parents. He said this achievement is an inspiration to all Muslims in Canada.
“Most of them are for young people, for the next generation, trying to inspire them, to see the trophy shine, to have the same dream as me,” Kadri said. Radio Canada News, city of Anadolu AgencySaturday (27/8/2022).
“It’s very special. Growing up, watching the NHL, I didn’t see anyone who looked like me or looked like my background, so young people will see that in a clearer light.”
Most players plan to win Stanley Cup as the pinnacle of world hockey, is even more coveted than winning an Olympic gold medal. Hockey is considered the toughest team sport in the world and the Cup is contested by 32 NHL teams with players from around the world.
Kadri is no longer a member of the Colorado Avalanche. Due to the total salary limit allowed for the team, some of the top players were released to other teams to earn more money. Kadri, who had a stellar season with Colorado, signed a contract with the Calgary Flames for IDR 729 billion for seven years.
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