punching players, and toughest opponents, he had ever fought. After 14 professional NHL hockey games, a shoulder injury forced James to retire from the sport in 1988. After retirement, he taught hockey for 10 years. Post-hockey life After retiring, James settled in the Niagara Region with his wife. His autobiography Black Ice: The Val James Story was released by ECW Press for worldwide distribution in February 2015, coinciding with Black History Month. In January 2017 ECW Press re-released the book in paperback format, again coinciding with Black History Month. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs See also Willie O'Ree, first Black Canadian player in the NHL References External links 1957 births Living people 20th-century African-American sportspeople 21st-century African-American people African-American ice hockey players American men's ice hockey left wingers Buffalo Sabres players Detroit Red Wings draft picks Erie Blades players Flint Spirits players Ice hockey people from Florida Ice hockey players from New York (state) Newmarket Saints players People from Long Island Quebec Remparts players St. Catharines Saints players Sportspeople from Ocala, Florida Toronto Maple Leafs players