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Chippewa Hockey NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Stars Firsts

NDN All-Star #61 – Clarence “Taffy” Abel (Chippewa) – Hockey’s First Indian!

NDN All-Stars "FIRSTS" Taffy Abel Header

NDN All-Star #61 Clarence “Taffy” Abel (Chippewa)was a powerful force in early hockey and the first Native American to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Born in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, in 1900, Abel grew up surrounded by hockey and quickly made the sport a big part of his life. With his size and strength—standing over six feet tall and weighing more than 200 pounds—Abel played a style that helped him stand out. He became known for his aggressive but skilled way of defending, which led to exciting opportunities to play on bigger stages.

One of Abel’s first major achievements was joining the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 1924. This team competed in the very first Winter Olympics in Chamonix, France. Abel’s strength and skill on defense helped the U.S. team win the silver medal, bringing attention to both American hockey and Abel himself. Not only was Abel the first Native American to participate in the Winter Olympics, but he was also selected by his teammates to be the US flag bearer – another Native American first! After this, professional hockey teams in the NHL took notice.

Abel’s big break into the NHL came when he signed with the New York Rangers in 1926. His impact on the ice was immediate. Abel’s powerful playing style fit perfectly with the Rangers’ defense, making him a favorite among fans. As the first Native American to play in the NHL, Abel also created a lasting legacy beyond his skill. This made his career even more meaningful, showing young athletes from different backgrounds that they, too, could compete at the highest levels of hockey.

Abel’s time with the Rangers was filled with success. One of the highlights was the 1928 season when the Rangers won their first Stanley Cup. Abel was a big part of this victory, playing defense with a mix of strength and skill that made it difficult for opponents to score. After his time with the Rangers, he moved to the Chicago Blackhawks in 1929. He continued to be an important player for Chicago, helping to strengthen their defense. In 1934, Abel and the Blackhawks won the Stanley Cup again, adding to his career’s list of achievements.

Throughout his career, Abel was known for his determination and reliability. He played tough and consistently, and his defensive style became a model for future players. Abel showed that a defenseman could be both physically tough and skilled, setting an example for how the position could be played. This influence on the game made Abel a trailblazer, and his success opened up new paths for future players.

After retiring from hockey in 1934, Abel returned to his hometown of Sault Ste. Marie. He stayed active in the hockey community, passing on his knowledge of the game. His legacy continued as more Native American players followed in his footsteps, with Abel’s story showing how much could be achieved through skill and dedication.

Clarence “Taffy” Abel passed away in 1964, but his contributions to hockey are still remembered. He was honored posthumously by being inducted into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame in 1973. His story lives on as a reminder of what’s possible in hockey and serves as an example for young athletes who dream of making it to the NHL.

NDN All-Star #61 Taffy Abel’s place in hockey history is unforgettable. As both a pioneering Native American player and a dedicated athlete, he’s remembered for his love of the game and his many accomplishments on the ice. His story continues to inspire players today, and his legacy shines brightly for future generations who share his passion for hockey.


 

Bill Black, founder of NDN All-Stars with his father, Bill Black, Sr. (Quah-Lee-Lah).
Bill Black(l), founder of NDN All-Stars with his father, Bill Black, Sr.

Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager of NDN All-Stars, celebrating great Native American athletes past and present.  He is a first generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and resides in Omak, WA.


#NDNAllstars #TaffyAbel #Chippewa #NHL #hockey #NYRangers #ChicagoBlackhawks #FIRSTS


If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

Thank you for your support!

 

 

 

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Chippewa Hockey Video Archeology

Video Archeology – “Michigan Mountain” – NDN All-Star #61 Taffy Abel (Chippewa)

NDN All-Stars "Video Archeology" Movie Of The Week graphic

“Michigan Mountain” – NDN All-Star #61 Taffy Abel (Chippewa)

I just came across this great documentary on YouTube called “Michigan Mountain – The Taffy Abel Story – Pt 1”, and I think you’d really enjoy it. It’s about NDN All-Star #61 Taffy Abel (Chippewa), the first Native American athlete to play in the National Hockey League.

Taffy Abel grew up in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, and he was a giant on the ice – like, literally huge for his time, standing at 6’1″ and over 200 pounds. (That’s actually how he got the nickname “Michigan Mountain.”) But what really stood out to me was how graceful and skilled he was despite his size. The documentary goes into his early life and how he became a key player for the U.S. Olympic hockey team in 1924, becoming the first Native American to compete in the Winter Olympics, where they won a silver medal. He was also the first Native American to play in the NHL, which is a huge deal. He played for iconic teams like the New York Rangers and Chicago Blackhawks, and made a huge impact on the ice.

One thing I really like about this video is how it dives into the historical importance of Abel’s career. Being a member of the Chippewa tribe, he broke many barriers at a time when Native Americans weren’t really recognized in mainstream sports.

The documentary isn’t just about his hockey career, though. After he retired, he went back to his hometown and became a successful businessman, which I thought was a great thing to highlight. He didn’t just fade away after his career; he kept contributing to his community. There’s a humility to his story that I found really touching.

I’ll admit, the production quality isn’t the fanciest. It’s a mix of archival footage and interviews with hockey historians, his family, and experts on Native athletes, so it’s more informative than flashy. But honestly, that didn’t matter to me because the story itself is so strong. The film really makes you appreciate how much Taffy Abel accomplished in a time when the odds were stacked against him.

If you’re into hockey history or stories about athletes overcoming big barriers, I’d really recommend checking this out. NDN All-Star #61 Taffy Abel’s story deserves way more recognition than it gets, and this documentary does a great job of honoring his legacy. I think you’d enjoy it just as I did!

(P.S. – I hope Part 2 comes out soon!)

 


 

Bill Black, founder of NDN All-Stars with his father, Bill Black, Sr. (Quah-Lee-Lah).
Bill Black(l), founder of NDN All-Stars with his father, Bill Black, Sr.

Bill Black is the creator and “General Manager of NDN All-Stars, celebrating great Native American athletes past and present.  He is a first generation descendant of the Okanogan Band of the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and resides in Omak, WA.


#NDNAllstars #Chippewa #Hockey #TaffyAbel #Olympics #VideoArcheology #NHL


If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.

Thank you for your support!

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Chippewa Football NDN All-Star Info NDN All-Stars Firsts

NDN All-Star “FIRSTS” – The First Native American Pro Football Player

NDN All-Stars "FIRSTS" - George Shelafo, First Native American Professional Football player

In an earlier “FIRSTS” I talked about the importance of NDN All-Star #4 Louis Sockalexis (Penobscot) and his place in history as the first Native American baseball player.

What about football? There have been a lot of great professional football players with Native American heritage.  Players like the immortal Jim Thorpe, Hall of Famer Joe Guyon, Sonny Sixkiller, and more.  But – who was the FIRST?

The answer is NDN All-Star #198 George Shelafo (Chippewa). Shelafo holds the unique place in the history of American football as the first Native American to get paid to play the game.

Shelafo started his football career at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, famous for its pioneering football program under legendary coach Pop Warner. The Carlisle football team was known for its innovative strategies and for producing some of the most outstanding players of the time. He played at Carlisle from 1894-1896.

Shelafo took a big step in his football career in 1897 by signing with the Latrobe Athletic Association. Latrobe was the first football team to play an entire season with only professional players, a notable moment in the early days of professional football. David J. Berry, the manager of the Latrobe team, heavily recruited him – even though Shelafo already had plans to attend the University of Chicago that fall​.

This was a big decision for Shelafo. In the 1890s, people had mixed feelings about professional football. The sport was becoming popular, especially in working-class areas and was a big deal for local communities, bringing pride and a sense of identity. However, not everyone was happy about it. Some people thought that paying players ruined the “purity of the game,” which was supposed to be about building character and playing fair.

Newspapers wrote a lot about football, but they often focused on the roughness and injuries – so much so that there was a movement to ban football altogether. Taken in that light, Shelafo’s decision  to leave college and throw in with a professional team was not the easy decision that it is for players today.

The 1897 season was memorable for Shelafo and the now all professional Latrobe Athletic Association football team. They started the season strong with a 7-0-1 record including victories over the Pittsburgh Emeralds and the Western University of Pennsylvania​. Shelafo’s play on the field was a big part of these wins, highlighting his skills and athleticism. Playing in these games, Shelafo and his teammates helped to establish the credibility and competitiveness of professional football teams during that era.

As the first Native American to play football professionally, Shelafo helped pave the way for future generations of Native American athletes. His path from college football at Carlisle to playing professionally for Latrobe is evidence of the talent and determination of Native American players who contributed to the sport of football’s early development.

Shelafo’s pioneering role – while mostly overlooked at the time, draws attention to the influence of Native American athletes in shaping the game of American football. His story is a strong reminder of the rich history of early football and the critical role played by Native American pioneers like NDN All-Star #198 George Shelafo in the development of pro football.


#ndnallstars #georgeshelafo #Chippewa #Carlilsle #Latrobe #FIRSTS


If you enjoy the content here and would like to help support our mission of celebrating great Native athletes of the past and present, please take a look at our NDN All-Stars Shop. Proceeds from every purchase help us continue to retell these stories. Also, if you would like to donate to this effort, please visit our Patreon page.
Thank you for your support!