A hero in the hockey community and a vocal champion of growing the sport is making his return to professional hockey. Former Calgary Flame Akim Aliu is going to join the San Jose Sharks on a tryout with their AHL affiliate, the San Jose Barracuda, for the remainder of the season.
This marks Aliu’s first taste of hockey since 2019–20 when he played in Czechia with HC Litvinov.
For accessibility, the full text from Aliu’s image post reads:
No matter what I am able to accomplish on the ice, I believe the movement that we strasted will hav a more lasting and positive impact ton the game of hockey and, most importantly, our society. This I am very poud of and the work will surely continue.
At the same time, my passion and love has always been on the ice and it’s something I think about everyday. I’ve been through a great deal both mentally and physically in the last four years since I last played but even at the age of 34 my love and passion for the game has never wavered. All I can do is give it my best and enjoy the moment of doing what I love most.
I can’t thank the San Jose Sharks organization enough for this opportunity, as I know this decision was not an easy one. Thank you to my family and friends for sticking by me. However things turn out, I am assured and at peace with one thing: that my nine-month-old son will get to see me play and always know daddu never gave up and never stopped DREAMING!
From tribulations to triumph
Aliu’s hockey history isn’t a comfortable one. Drafted 56th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in 2007, Aliu only featured in seven NHL games—all with the Calgary Flames. In two games with the Flames in 2011–12, he scored two goals and one assist; in five games in 2012–13, he went scoreless. Beyond that, he didn’t have any further NHL experience.
A big reason why his NHL career did not last was revealed much later on. In November 2019, Aliu came forward with his experience with Bill Peters while he was playing junior hockey. Aliu shared that Peters made racist remarks and used his position to bully Aliu. Coincidentally, Peters was the Flames’ head coach at the time Aliu spoke out and immediately resigned from the team.
The treatment Aliu received from Peters very well impacted his NHL career as he wasn’t afforded the same opportunities as his peers, instead getting negative labels that were unwarranted and prevented him from getting a shot.
Instead, Aliu’s NHL career effectively fizzled out and was over before it truly began. He then spent the next seven seasons playing in the AHL, ECHL, and several overseas leagues including the KHL and SHL.
After stepping away from the sport in 2019, Aliu went on to co-found the Hockey Diversity Alliance, an organisation that current Flame Nazem Kadri is also a co-founder of. One of the most recent events from the HDA came during the 2024 All-Star Weekend where they hosted the HDA Winterfest in Toronto.
The impact that Aliu, Kadri, and the HDA have had on the growth of the sport for underprivileged communities has been immense.
A warm welcome back for Aliu
Aliu coming back to playing hockey is highly commendable. From the truth coming out about how he was treated over four years ago to putting in genuine work to growth the sport, making a return to professional hockey must feel great for him.
This is a full-circle moment that allows him to come back to the sport of hockey and close out his career on his terms. Aliu will make his return to the Saddledome later this month as the Barracuda are visiting the Calgary Wranglers on March 29 and 31. No matter the jersey or the outcome, Aliu’s hockey journey and impact go well beyond most players, and for that, he deserves stick taps all around.
