FILE - Calgary Flames center Akim Aliu (29) controls the puck against Nashville Predators defenseman Victor Bartley (64) during the first period of an NHL hockey game April 23, 2013, in Nashville, Tenn. After years of feeling alienated by the NHL and campaigning to diversify the sport, Akim Aliu is getting one more shot at playing pro hockey, this time with the San Jose Sharks minor-league affiliate. Sharks general manager Mike Grier informed reporters at the league’s GM meetings in Florida on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, that he offered Aliu a tryout contract with the American Hockey League San Jose Barracuda for the remainder of the season. (AP Photo/Mike Strasinger, File)
FILE - Vancouver Canucks' Samuel Pahlsson, top, of Sweden, holds down Calgary Flames' Akim Aliu, of Nigeria, during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Calgary, Alberta, Thursday, April 5, 2012. After years of feeling alienated by the NHL and campaigning to diversify the sport, Akim Aliu is getting one more shot at playing pro hockey, this time with the San Jose Sharks minor-league affiliate. Sharks general manager Mike Grier informed reporters at the league’s GM meetings in Florida on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, that he offered Aliu a tryout contract with the American Hockey League San Jose Barracuda for the remainder of the season.(AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Jeff McIntosh, File)