Angela James left Hockey Hall of Fame
By michelle-lee :
Angela James has been called the greatest female hockey player of her era – “The Wayne Gretzky” of the women’s game. She dominated the game for 20 years starting in the late 1970s. James, born December 22, 1964 in Toronto was known as a tough hard-nosed player. On November 8th, she along with US player Cammi Granato became the first women in history to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
On induction day James was the embodiment of grace and humility and said she felt overwhelmed. “I would never have thought any time in my life that I’d be in this position. (For a) woman or a man, being inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame is a great honor. It’s being welcomed into a fraternity, a family. That’s pretty special. Being one of the first females, I’m ecstatic. It’s a start for the rest of the women to carry on”, she said.
For those who know the history of James’ career, many might think the moment was bittersweet. Missing from her resume is being a member of Team Canada for the 1998 Olympics. Many are still asking “Why”. Why was James left off the ’98 Olympic team? In the year prior to the games she was dominant – a player a coach would want on the ice in the “big game” – but she was cut. Some said it was like cutting Wayne Gretsky or Sidney Crosby y. The mystery of that situation will never make sense to her she said and she still feels it was, in her opinion, “the wrong decision. Most everyone agrees.
Angela James’ Impressive Credentials.
She played for Team Canada and won four World Championships (1990, ’92, ‘94’, ’97).
She has 12 National Championship medals at the club level
Eight OWHA (Ontario Women’s Hockey Association) scoring titles
Was named OWHA MVP six times.
She was the first Black woman to captain a Canadian National team
Named in her honor: The Angela James Arena in Flemingdon Park (Toronto) where she grew up
Made history as one of two women to be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame (U.S. player Cammi Granato is the other).
