The Spectrum of Hockey: Elliotte Friedman’s window on Hockey is For Everyone

Credit: Elliotte Friedman (photo courtesy of Sportsnet)

This article was written by Frank Zawrazky, who is part of the Professional Hockey Writers Association x To Hockey With Love Mentorship Program. This program pairs aspiring writers with established members of the association across North America to create opportunities for marginalized people that do not traditionally get published on larger platforms covering hockey.

To Hockey With Love is a weekly newsletter covering a range of topics in hockey – from the scandals of the week to providing a critical analysis of the sport.

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As the NHL regular season ended, and the postseason began in April, it’s hard not to get caught up in the hype of the Stanley Cup Playoffs. However, some things are bigger than hockey. April is Autism Acceptance Month around the world. This month means a lot to the people in the hockey community who are on the Autism Spectrum or are impacted by it in some way. One of the biggest names in hockey who has been touched by Autism is Elliotte Friedman. Friedman, who is a part of Hockey Night In Canada, and a premier insider for all things hockey, has a son on the Autism Spectrum.

The idea of incorporating Autism Acceptance Month into hockey perfectly aligns with the NHL and its vision of what Hockey is for Everyone should be. Friedman discussed the pioneers of the autism in hockey movement, including former goaltenders Olie Kolzig and Jason LaBarbera, both of whom have children on the Autism Spectrum. Kolzig is now a development coach for the Washington Capitals and LaBarbera is the goalie coach for the Calgary Flames. Friedman also brought up current Philadelphia Flyer James van Riemsdyk, who the national analyst got to know during his time in Toronto. According to the NHLPA, van Riemsdyk has two cousins on the Autism Spectrum, and he has worked tirelessly to include Autistic people at hockey games. Friedman also said that van Riemsdyk has always been involved in a lot of charitable endeavors.

Friedman brought up his own family’s relationship with Autism and how it has contributed to his advocacy of wearing an Autism pin on every Hockey Night In Canada broadcast.

“I think that we’ve always tried to be supportive ever since we came in, ever since it became part of our lives,” said Friedman. “I think if you’re not willing to take care of your own house, you can’t expect anybody else to be accepted. And so, we are that, and I think we are very proud of that. The one thing I (always) do is I wear the pin.”

His Autism pin was originally mistaken for a Toronto Maple Leafs pin, but it has garnered widespread social media attention every time Friedman wears it on a broadcast. Friedman also explained the importance of being involved in an Autistic child’s life, trying to balance not being a helicopter parent with being in the know about a child. He explained that it’s important to be as involved as early as possible in an Autistic child’s life in order to help develop their strengths and work on areas of improvement.

When discussing Hockey is for Everyone, Friedman remembered his own background growing up playing house league hockey. He revealed that his young teams were a lot different than the NHL, as they had a wide diversity of players from all around the world coming from a variety of backgrounds. He also brought up income as a barrier to the game of hockey. He cited the recent example of former NFL player JJ Watt, who told reporters in a press conference that he had stopped playing hockey in Wisconsin because it had gotten too expensive. The wide range of people interested in the sport translates into the fan base, especially in Toronto. Friedman specifically remembers broadcasting the pregame show for Game 7 of the 2022 first round series between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs.

“I broadcast the pregame show with David Amber from the square outside of Scotiabank arena. And it was a really mixed crowd. Like there were a lot of Leaf fans there who were young people of color,” said Friedman. “And, you know, I just think that everyone wants to be part of the community. I think that is the case in a lot of these places around North America where the NHL is.”

This diversity extends into the world of social media, for Friedman. He said in part that while there is a lot of division on social media, he embraces ideas different than his own on a variety of topics, and actively interacts with those people in a positive, constructive manner. Friedman continues his point regarding social media, explaining that social media is not as divisive as it seems because people are looking for things in common, rather than differences.

Friedman also brought up the potential of being on the Autism Spectrum himself as has been introspective since his son’s diagnosis. Although he has not been formally diagnosed, he has some inclination about his own possible neurodivergence.

“I believe I [am neurodivergent],” said Friedman. “There’s certain things I’ve learned about it that makes me think. It’s never been diagnosed; I don’t know it for sure. But there’s certain things I learned that kind of allows me to look at myself and say, that explains a few things.”

For now, Friedman is looking to the future to what could be for Autistic people coming into the world of hockey.

“If you do a good job, people see it, and people recognize it,” said Friedman. “I just think that if you’re neurodivergent, and you want to go into hockey and you get the opportunity, you have to be like anyone else. You have to, say, like, this is me. It’s not a big deal. And then you have to do a great job.”

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The Spectrum of Hockey: Elliotte Friedman’s window on Hockey is For Everyone

More from the PHWA x To Hockey With Love Mentorship Program