Akim Aliu
Akim Aliu was born on April 29th, 1989 and is currently 35 years old. Akim Aliu was born in Okene, Nigeria.
Akim Aliu is a Nigerian-born Ukrainian-Canadian professional ice hockey player.
Uncomfortable with the political climate after the Soviet Union’s demise, his parents moved the family to Canada when he was just 7 years old, settling in the Toronto area. Initially, the family struggled as his father, Tai, studied to become a computer programmer.
When he arrived in Canada, Akim spoke fluent Russian and Ukrainian but not English. He had never played hockey. His first pair of skates was bought at a garage sale, and he started playing in a house league in Parkdale, a Toronto neighborhood. He had a natural talent for the sport, and within just a few years, he was drafted into the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) in the first round by the Windsor Spitfires.
Early in the 2005-06 OHL season, which was Aliu’s first in the league, he was involved in an incident with Steve Downie. Downie cross-checked Aliu in the face, knocking out seven of his teeth. After receiving treatment, Aliu returned to the ice to fight Downie. This incident stemmed largely from Akim’s refusal to participate in a hazing ritual that would have forced him and the other rookies to stand naked in a cramped washroom.
On August 25, 2008, Aliu signed his first professional contract, a three-year deal with the Blackhawks.
He made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames on April 5, 2012, having been placed in a checking role rather than the scoring role he usually played. He performed well enough that the Flames traded John Negrin, a defenseman, to the Winnipeg Jets to acquire Aliu’s NHL rights.
Akim Aliu: Dreamer is an engrossing and honest graphic memoir that tells the story of Akim Aliu, professional athlete and activist, and his incredible life as a hockey prodigy in Canada.
Akim Aliu is a Ukrainian-Nigerian-Canadian pro hockey player whose career took him around the world, where he experienced systemic racism at every turn. This book tells his incredible tale, from being the only Black kid in his Ukrainian community to his family struggling to make ends meet in Toronto and facing the racist violence he encountered both off and on the ice.
It’s a riveting and gut-wrenching graphic novel memoir that reminds us to never quit dreaming, sure to inspire young readers everywhere.
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Akim Aliu: F.A.Q
When was Akim Aliu Born? How old is Akim Aliu?
Akim Aliu was born on April 29th, 1989. Akim Aliu is currently 35 years old.
Where was Akim Aliu Born?
Akim Aliu was born in Okene, Nigeria and is Ukrainian-Canadian.
What was the first book Akim Aliu wrote?
The first book written by Akim Aliu was Akim Aliu: Dreamer, published in 2023.
What was the most recent book Akim Aliu wrote?
His most recently released work was Akim Aliu: Dreamer (a short story) on February 7th, 2023.
Will there be any more books by Akim Aliu?
Akim Aliu does not have any upcoming books with a set publication date within the next few months at this time.
How many books has Akim Aliu written?
Akim Aliu has written 1 book. All of his books are Non-Fiction Books.