Nazem Kadri knows that with great power comes great responsibility

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Ask a hockey fan to offer an opinion about Nazem Kadri and there are as many reactions as there are days of the week.

Maple Leaf fans loved the firebrand centre and his ability to get under the skin of opponents – and also felt aggrieved by his post-season crack-ups and the suspensions that followed.

A year ago, the 32-year-old from London, Ont., won his first Stanley Cup with the Colorado Avalanche and this season he and teammates on the Calgary Flames are making a strong late-season bid to make the playoffs.

Even if he scored more often earlier in his career, he has become a more complete player and has attained all-star status in each of the past two campaigns.

Kadri’s journey through sports has not been easy. He is of Lebanese descent and a Muslim and has often been the target of racist taunts and Islamophobic rants.

During the second round of last year’s playoffs, Kadri collided with and injured St. Louis goalie Jordan Binnington. No penalty was assessed but Kadri was assailed afterward by Blues coach Craig Berube who said, “Just look at Kadri’s reputation. That’s all I’ve got to say.”

(Just a note here: While Binnington was the victim on the play, he is no stranger to controversy of his own making.)

Kadri received death threats afterward and the vitriol that was spewed on social media was so hateful that the Avalanche engaged the St. Louis police department to provide him with special protection.

In the aftermath, Kadri’s wife, Ashley, went on Instagram and shared screenshots of messages that had been received.

“I wanted to shine light on what the last 48 hours has looked like for us as a family,” she wrote. “This is just a small example. This behaviour doesn’t belong in sports, or anywhere. If you are not condemning racism, then you are tolerating it.”

Kadri is a founding board member of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, which was established to eradicate racism from hockey, and created his own foundation to pay the expenses of youths who otherwise would be unable to play hockey.

He learned to skate when he was two, joined his first hockey team at four and was playing at an elite level within two years.

He was drafted seventh overall by Toronto in the 2009 draft, at the time the earliest a Muslim player had been selected. And last summer he became the first Muslim to win the Stanley Cup.

He is bright and talkative and when asked to participate in this lightning-round series of questions said, “I love it. Let’s go.”

What is your chief characteristic?

Fearlessness. It has carried me through my career.

What do you appreciate in your friends?

Loyalty is something I am big on, and trust. That is important for anyone in my inner circle. It is the only way I can be open and honest and have that trust.

What is your main fault?

Sometimes I can get a little too emotional about things and get carried away. It has really hurt me in the past. Hopefully I will mature and grow from it.

If not a hockey player, what would be your favourite occupation?

Oh wow. I am a big sports fan. Most probably I would be involved in some sort of sport. Or perhaps a player agent.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Probably family. I am very family oriented and enjoy my life with them and sharing experiences with them. It is the most important part of your life.

What is your idea of misery?

Not having people close to you that you can count on and talk to. I am very lucky to have great people around me.

Where would you like to live?

Probably somewhere more exotic. Somewhere like Dubai or a place like that. I love the culture and the food is amazing. Everything is state of the art. Exploring the culture and learning more about my roots would be fun.

Who are your favourite authors?

I am not a huge fan of reading not because I don’t like it but because it is hard for me to find the time. I am mostly interested in autobiographies of athletes and other people.

What are your favourite places to visit?

I’d say Italy. I toured the coastline and honestly it had some of the most beautiful scenery I had ever seen. It is definitely up there. It is very picturesque, and it has great cuisine. Also, Zurich and the Alps.

Who is your favourite hero in fiction?

I am a big Spider-Man fan and my dad is a fan of him, too. In terms of superheroes he would be No. 1 on my list.

Who is your real hero in life?

My dad, Samir. He has always been a terrific mentor. He taught me how life works and has great character. He gave me the opportunity to pursue the life that I want.

What is your greatest achievement?

In terms of my career, it was probably last year. A fantastic season. I enjoyed it.

Cat or dog?

I have a little rescue cat named Jazzy. I have had her for eight years now. I went into a shelter looking for a dog but they didn’t have any available. It was kind of a spontaneous thing. She is living the good life.