Who is this?: Akim Aliu

Akim Aliu is a prospect of the Winnipeg Jets currently playing for their AHL affiliate, St. John’s IceCaps. Aliu was originally drafted 56th overall by the Chicago Blackhawks in the 2007 entry draft. Which happens to be 13 picks after our phenom, PK Subban (43rd overall). Aliu was brought in to the Jets organization by the same trade that saw Dustin Byfuglien, Brent Sopel and Ben Eager all leave Chicago. Now that all seems pretty normal for a hockey player. To be drafted, then traded in Akim’s case, that all comes with the territory. When this player gets interesting, is when you learn his back story and his off ice antics.

His story is intriguing from day 1, Akim Aliu was born in Okene, Nigeria making him, what I think is safe to say, the first African born hockey player to be drafted into the NHL, that’s not from South Africa. (If you find someone else who fits into this category, send him my way @JScaresHabs, jacksonscarrow@gmail.com) OK, thats sort of interesting.

Shortly after Aliu was born his family moved to Kiev, Ukraine. Where he learned to speak fluent Russian. Still to this day he and his family communicate by speaking Russian to each other. Now we’ve got an African who’s been fluent in Russian from a very young age. I guess you could say there’s not many other people like him, which makes him pretty unique.

When Akim was 12 his family made yet another immigration. This time it was to Canada. So now what we’ve got is a Nigerian born who can speak fluent Russian living in Canada, who also has a god given ability to play hockey, who will eventually go to be drafted in the second round of an NHL entry draft… I’m going to out on a limb here and say that a player with these traits will never ever, in the history of professional hockey, ever surface again.

Uniqueness aside, Aliu has also encountered some speed bumps on his way to the NHL. The first came early in the 05-06 OHL season, when teammate Steve Downie knocked out 3 of Aliu’s teeth with a blindside crosscheck to the face during practice. That sparked a fight between the two, resulting in suspensions for the both of them. 5 games for Downie, 1 game for Aliu. This whole incident stemmed from Aliu refusing to take part in a rookie hazing, where he would’ve had to stand naked in a small bus bathroom. I can’t say I blame him.

A second incident, or incidents happened during the Chicago Blackhawks pre-season camps of 2008 where he was involved in several on ice altercations.

And a third took place when Aliu was in yet another fight , this time in a bar in Toronto, where he broke his hand. With a broken hand, Aliu’s off season training was seriously affected.

I don’t know if Aliu is just a trouble maker, or someone who does his best to stand up for himself. But if he cant get his fighting under control, his chances at making it big in the NHL could be seriously hampered. Even then, if he does make it to the NHL, he could be deemed a “cancer” off the ice, which usually leads to being shopped around a lot.

I’d love to see if can make it to the show, because I’ve never even seen him play, only read about him. So stay tuned, I may or may not have an update, depending on what happens with Akim.

I know he has nothing to do with the Habs but, his off ice story was just so intriguing, I couldn’t resist.

I have no question for today. (WHAT?!, no question how ever will I survive?) I know you’re all thinking that, call me a mind reader. But you’ll live, I guarantee it. If you simply can’t resist I’ll allow you to tweet your feedback to me @JScaresHabs

Also follow Steven @StevenEllisNHL.

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