Toronto Maple Leaf’s Muslim Draft Pick

(June 28, 2009) – The Toronto Maple Leafs has drafted its first Muslim player.

Nazem Kadri, a centre with the London Knights. is of Lebanese origin and will probably remain with the Knights for another season before joining the Maple Leafs.

“A lot of Muslim kids are going to start playing hockey because they see someone like them be successful in that area,” Kadri told the Toronto Star.

Kadri was the president of the Muslim Students Association in his local high school.

“If this has a ripple effect on the young players in the Muslim community to take up hockey, then that’s a wonderful side effect. If that increases our player pool in a part of society we’re not touching right now, that’s great,” Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke told the Star.