Nazem Kadri is in a unique position. He has the power to change attitudes simply by being true to who he is – a practicing Muslim, and quite possibly his religion’s greatest ice hockey player. He is a professional in arguably the greatest hockey market in the world. His father left Lebanon and arrived in Canada in 1968, and 22 years later Nazem was born. Two years after that, he was skating.
In addition to playing for the Toronto Maple Leafs in the NHL, he represented Canada at the World Junior championships in 2010. The 26-year-old organises an annual golf tournament for Islamic Relief Canada, and wants to inspire fans looking for Muslim men to admire.