NDN All-Stars Podcast - George Jones on Taffy Abel

NDN All-Stars is part of the Sports History Network - The Headquarters For Sports Yesteryear.

Clarence "Taffy" Abel: Breaking Ice and Barriers in Olympic Hockey

📘 Summary:

In this powerful episode of the NDN All-Stars Podcast, I sit down with hockey historian George Jones—nephew of NDN All-Star #61 Clarence "Taffy" Abel (Chippewa), the first Native American to compete in the Winter Olympics and the first Indigenous player in the NHL. George shares rarely heard stories from his family history and Taffy's quiet but groundbreaking achievements, including serving as the U.S. flag bearer at the 1924 Winter Games in Chamonix and earning a silver medal in Olympic hockey. We talk about the pride, the hidden heritage, and the work still ahead to ensure Taffy receives the full recognition he deserves.

Topics Covered:

• George’s personal memories of his uncle, Taffy Abel
• How Taffy got his start in hockey in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan
• The Native American influence behind his competitive spirit
• Being forced to "pass" as white to avoid Indian boarding schools and gain Olympic eligibility
• Taffy’s journey to the 1924 Winter Olympics and role as the U.S. flag bearer
• Scoring 15 goals as a defenseman and helping Team USA win silver
• The missing Olympic medal and George’s efforts to repatriate it from a private collection
• Taffy's NHL debut with the New York Rangers in 1926—breaking the NHL’s color line
• The lack of Native American recognition in the NHL today
• Why Taffy's story is essential for future Native hockey players to know

Guest Bio:

George Jones is a hockey historian and the nephew of Clarence "Taffy" Abel. A dedicated advocate for Native representation in hockey, George has spent years researching, preserving, and promoting his uncle’s legacy, including his place as the first Indigenous Olympian in Winter Games history and the first Native NHL player.

Resource Links:

• Learn more about Taffy Abel's legacy: https://www.taffyabel.com/

Learn More:

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Hey there—I'm Bill Black, and welcome to the NDN All-Stars Podcast. If this is...