Valmore Edwin James is a retired American professional ice hockey left winger who played 2 seasons in the National Hockey League for the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs. James was the first African American to play in the NHL when he debuted with the Sabres, although he was not the first black player. He was preceded by several Black Canadians, starting with Willie O'Ree. Also, although James was the first African American to have played in the NHL, his time playing junior hockey in Quebec meant that he was not the first exclusively U.S.-trained African American in the league; that milestone would not occur until 1996, when Mike Grier made his NHL debut. James was also the first native-born Floridian to play in the NHL. 

February 14th, 1957 in (Age 67)