Hockey Player: Mike Marson
(This is an action shot of Mike Marson, playing left wing for the Washington Capitals. Image courtesy of colorofhockey.com)
Background
Mike Marson was the second black hockey player to play in the NHL, playing the majority of his career for the Washington Capitals. He was second to Willie O'Ree, who played for the Boston Bruins in 1958. O'Ree only played two games in 1958, while a starter was injured, but returned in 1961 for more than 40 games for the Boston Bruins.
Marson was drafted in the 2nd round, 19th pick over all, in the 1974 draft to the Washington Capitals. He was only 18 but was able to join the NHL because of the 1974 Amateur Draft (league's decision to allow drafting of underage players that year). Marson grew up and lived in Scarborough, Ontario. He took classes at the University of Maryland while playing for the Caps.
Not overly tall, standing at 5'9," but well over 200 lbs. For his weight, his teammates teased him a lot, creating an unwelcoming environment. Marson recalls not being accepted, for hie weight and race, even by his own teammates.
(Marson's trading card. Image courtesy of vintagehockeycardsreport.com)
Racism in the NHL
“I was called n****r and every other bad name in the book,” Marson said in author CecilHarris’ book, “Breaking the Ice: The Black Experience in Professional Hockey,” “along with stuff I didn’t even know was in the book” (The Color of Hockey).
"The biggest problem for Marson was the racism he had to endure. No course in life management skills could have likely prepared Marson for what he had to endure. Not that a course may have helped. Marson was bullheaded and refused to bend, which led to him becoming a bitter and angry young man who never enjoyed the sport the same way he did back in Sudbury or as a youth" Joe Pelletier and Greatest Hockey Legends".
Accomplishments
Marson had an okay rookie season, scoring 16 goals and establishing himself as a feared fighter. It was short lived; however, as his production slipped due to racism and under acceptance. During his 1974 season, the Capitals had the worst record in history, as it was their first year as a franchise. After three years in the NHL he was moved to the minors.
Quotes from Marson
"For me, it seemed normal to be a hockey player. I grew up in Canada. I played hockey. A black hockey player? So what? But I found out that people looked at me like I was a Martian. Not Mike Marson. Mike Martian. Because I was a black hockey player." -Mike Marson.
"I saw myself as a hockey player. Everybody else saw me as different." -Mike Marson.
"There was just so much garbage I had to deal with that I just wasn't used to," he said. "The accumulation of all that garbage just made me uneasy. Uncomfortable all the time. How can you perform at your best as a professional athlete if you're uncomfortable all the time? You can't. It's impossible." -Mike Marson.
Additional Information
Greatest Hockey Legends: Mike Marson
(Page researched and written by Logan Sherwood.)
