Incarcerated Supporters Gave Diddy A Standing Ovation For ‘Beating’ The Government After Partial Trial Victory
Diddy received a split decision
The attorney for embattled music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs stated that after his client received a split decision, avoiding a potential life sentence, incarcerated folks at the jail where he is being detained gave Diddy a standing ovation for beating the odds of securing what some consider a victory against the federal government.
According to the Associated Press, Marc Agnifilo, lead attorney for the defense team for Diddy during his federal RICO (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) trial, made the admission during an interview discussing his client’s partial victory. He stated that the inmates, presumably mostly Black, acknowledged the accomplishment of “beating” the government as the acquittal from RICO charges was the best thing that could have happened for incarcerated Black men.
“They all said: ‘We never get to see anyone who beats the government,’” attorney Marc Agnifilo stated to the media outlet.
As much as people are claiming that Diddy won, he still faces jail time of up to 20 years when he is sentenced for the guilty verdict of a Mann Act violation (two counts of transportation for purposes of prostitution). He was acquitted July 2 of federal charges of sex trafficking and operating a criminal enterprise. The not-guilty verdicts saved the former Bad Boy Records CEO from serving a mandatory minimum sentence of 15 years to life.
Diddy’s attorneys requested that he be immediately released until his sentencing; however, Judge Arun Subramanian denied the request, stating that the entertainment mogul will remain imprisoned until he is sentenced later this year.
The 55-year-old entertainment mogul and fashionista has been imprisoned since being arrested and charged in September. After charges were brought against Diddy, he pleaded not guilty to one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Since the accusations were made, he has steadfastly denied being guilty of any of the charges against him.
‘Shamed’ Lady Liberty Mural Revealed In France In Response To America’s Current Political Climate
Leeuw said revealing the work on the 4th of July was also intentional as the Statue of Liberty was a birthday gift from France to the United States on July 4, 1884.
As America celebrated Independence Day, France revealed a bold depiction of the Statue of Liberty to express its disdain for what is happening in the land of the free and home of the brave, BuzzFeed reports.
The mural, titled “The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest,” was created by Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw on a building in the city of Roubaix. Seen by more than 16 million people, the goal of the viral mural is to illustrate the “shame” of the Trump administration’s controversial immigration policies, with Lady Liberty covering her face with her hands and her torch lying on her chest.
With the mural’s location being intentional, Leeuw chose Roubaix due to its “large migrant population” who live day to day with difficult circumstances. “The values that the statue once stood for — freedom, hope, the right to be yourself — have been lost for many,” the artist said.
For the 4th of July, Dutch artist Judith de Leeuw unveiled a mural in France titled “The Statue of Liberty’s Silent Protest” depicting Lady Liberty covering her eyes in shame pic.twitter.com/Awu9UApVaK
Leeuw said that revealing the work on the 4th of July was also intentional, as the Statue of Liberty was a birthday gift from France to the United States on July 4, 1884, as a way to celebrate the country’s independence and democracy. However, given the turn of events over the last six months of President Donald Trump’s second term, feelings have changed.
The timing of the mural came hours after Trump signed the “Big, Beautiful Bill” — a GOP-supported legislation that is getting massive backlash for its cuts to Medicaid, additional funding for border security, and tax benefits for the country’s wealthy one percent. American voters seemed to support the artwork, laughing at how America has become an international joke.
“I feel this right to my core,” one social media user wrote.
Another social media user decided to give America both a history and math lesson. The Trump administration and others were pinpointing Independence Day 2025 as America’s 250th birthday. However, the math isn’t mathing.
”It’s July 4th, and this sums up how I feel. Not only shame, but also fear of being seen. Will we even be able to make it to our 250th anniversary on July 4th, 2026… God help us all,” another user said.
It’s July 4th and this sums up how I feel. Not only shame but fear of looking. Will we even be able to make it to our 250th anniversary, July 4th 2026… God help us all
Of course, several people used the opportunity to spout racist rhetoric toward the French nation, dragging issues of homelessness and anti-Muslim views into it.
This isn’t the first time other countries have mocked the United States for its radical ideologies. According to The Guardian, artist and British immigrant Izaac Zevalking showcased a mural of the Statue of Liberty, handcuffed and slammed on the hood of a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) police car in downtown Las Vegas in 2019.
The artwork came days after then-Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ken Cuccinelli suggested making an amendment to the sonnet inscribed on the statue to read: “Give me your tired and your poor who can stand on their own two feet and who will not become a public charge.”
Activists Push For Black Church Group To Return Target’s $300K Donation
It’s considered a betrayal of the boycotts
After Target made a $300,000 donation to the National Baptist Convention (NBCUSA), one of the largest Black church groups in the country, some of the organizers who helped push for national boycotts of the company over its rollback of its stance regarding diversity, equity and inclusion are asking them to return the funds.
According to USA Today, Nekima Levy Armstrong, a Minnesota-based activist, and Pastor Jamal-Harrison Bryant, in separate statements, called for the group to return the money because they see it as a betrayal of the boycotts they worked to organize, particularly among members of the Black Baptist church community.
The National Baptist Convention, an institution that claims over 31,000 churches and the moral leadership of our people, just pocketed $300,000 from Target during a nationwide Black boycott. Let that sink in. While the masses stood in solidarity, the pulpit took a payday. And… pic.twitter.com/re8BVQB5vN
Pastor Jamal Bryant criticized the National Baptist Convention (NBC) for accepting a $300,000 donation from Target, accusing the denomination of “selling out” Black America amid his ongoing boycott of the retailer. https://t.co/SZHWulPXEVpic.twitter.com/0fo0bZ4MYs
Some national leaders in the Black community have denounced the National Baptist Convention USA's decision to accept a $300,000 donation from Target Corporation. Report by Tribune staff writer Marco Cerino. https://t.co/4PSBcmF9cJ
Both Target and the NBCUSA characterized the donation as part of a larger commitment to shared values, including access to education, economic development, and entrepreneurship programs.
According to a Target spokesperson, “We’re proud to be sponsoring NBCUSA’s conference series as one of the many ways we invest to make a meaningful impact in communities across the country by supporting access to education, economic development initiatives and entrepreneurship programs.”
Meanwhile, a press release from the NBCUSA contained a statement from National Baptist Convention President Boise Kimber that emphasized the “shared commitment to community empowerment through small-business and entrepreneur development, investments in education and student support, and workforce and skill development that unlocks growth across our communities,” between Kimber’s organization and the Minneapolis-based retailer.
In their statement, Kimber also added that Target’s donation will help “provide scholarships, support senior citizens, and invest in entrepreneurship programs that uplift our people and the future.”
From his church pulpit, the Atlanta-area megachurch made famous by the late Bishop Eddie L. Long, New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, Bryant accused Target of going around him to take meetings with Rev. Al Sharpton and get to the National Baptist Convention.
“Are you crazy to think we’re going to sell out for chump change?” Bryant said.
In an interview with USA Today, Bryant clarified that the donation to the organization was actually four donations of $75,000 to Black church organizations which the NBCUSA had received and then divided up. Bryant also described the donation to the news outlet as “really a slap in the face and an insult,” and called for the organization to return the money.
Bryant also indicated that his primary asks of Target, which include the organization honoring its own $2 billion pledge to the Black business community, calling for Target to invest in Black-owned banks, establish retail centers at HBCUs, and to fully restore its diversity initiatives.
“The black eye for us is that they (National Baptist Convention) walked away with nothing that we asked for,” Bryant pointed out.
Based on a May 28 statement the company released in response to Bryant’s boycott, Target appears to have a different view.
“Target is absolutely dedicated to fostering inclusivity for everyone – our team members, our guests and our supply partners,” Target’s press release read. “In the last five years, we have: committed to invest $2 billion in Black-owned businesses and brands within five years; supported students at over 20 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); invested $100 million to Black-led community organizations; given scholarships to over 30,000 members of our team to advance their careers; committed 5% of our profits to the communities we operate in; volunteered millions of hours to organizations across the country and created meaningful opportunities for our team members to thrive both personally and professionally.”
Levy Armstrong, who has clashed with Bryant over which of them deserves credit for starting the boycott, issued her own statement via an open letter she sent to the NBCUSA and shared with USA Today. In the letter, she called for the group to “reconsider its alignment with a corporation that has caused such profound harm.”
Levy Armstrong continued, “This $300,000 payment does not heal – it deepens the wound. It appears to be a payout for silence and an attempt to regain Black consumer trust without accountability.”
Bryant also responded to Levy Armstrong’s criticism of him, as he told USA Today, “My focus was singularly to align with the Black churches as Black churches were not involved or engaged. I’d say everywhere from the rooftops that we were not the originators of it, but it was our intention to bring out the Black church alongside.”
Inaugural Youth Business Camp In Minnesota Helps Young Black Entrepreneurs Be Bosses
The camp will teach attendees about various sectors of business.
A new summer camp in Minnesota will teach its campers more than the typical activities.
The first ever “I’m a Boss” Youth Business Camp will begin the second week of July. According to CBS News, it aims to help young Black entrepreneurs get a leg up in the industry.
Its mission stems from a need for more Black businesses in the state. A 2023 Annual Business Survey found that only a little over 2,500 businesses in Minnesota identified as Black-owned. However, the state has nearly 6 million Black residents, according to 2024 Census data.
LeBrent Speed founded the camp to address this gap while inspiring Black youth interested in becoming business owners. Speed forged the idea after seeing summer camps for the arts or basketball training, wanting a space for young dreamers with business plans.
As the founder of Better Black Business Project, or B3P, his efforts gear toward championing Black entrepreneurship no matter the age.
“B3[P] it is a professional network of Black entrepreneurs and those who support them. It’s open to anyone, but our focus is how do we support Black entrepreneurs and close the wealth gap by empowering Black businesses,” Speed said.
Thus far, B3P has grown into 120 members, all dedicated to this lofty mission to build Black entrepreneurs. At the camp, campers will learn from presenters teaching about credit, trades, and real estate. Volunteers will also help connect with attendees, building new relationships to help the young entrepreneurs as they develop their brands.
“We have over 15 presenters on a variety of subjects: credit, finances, real estate, trades but then we have another 15 to 20 volunteers who will just be there with them going through the courses with them, eating lunch and breakfast with them just hanging out sharing stories, information access and mentorship,” added Speed.
Speed hopes that the representation will encourage Black youth as they scale their dreams. One upcoming camper already has a plan for her experience.
“I’m hoping to learn about investment and just growing and putting back into my business and just grow it and being surrounded by encouraging people like youth entrepreneurs like me to just help grow me,” shared Ella Beard, a teenage visual artist and owner of Vibe Art.
Speed still encourages sponsors to reach out as they hope to spark change in the business industry of Minnesota and beyond. The Youth Business Camp will take place at Bethel University from July 9 to 11, with more information on its programming available on its website.
ATL’s Big Boi And Jermaine Dupri Welcome The MLB All-Star Celebrity Game To The City
Atlanta’s own hip-hop legends Big Boi and Jermaine Dupri are stepping onto the baseball diamond for the 2025 MLB All-Star Celebrity Softball Game.
The event is scheduled to take place at Truist Park on Saturday, July 12. Major League Baseball’s celebrity event is a part of the All-Star Week festivities.
Big Boi, a Grammy-winning artist, and Jermaine Dupri, a Grammy-winning producer, are among a long list of celebrities lending their talents to the game. Dupri will also step into a managerial role, guiding one of the celebrity teams.
Joining the hometown heroes is a mix of entertainment, sports and social media figures. The lineup includes social media personality Funny Marco and songwriter Kandi Burruss. Additionally, Pro Football Hall of Famer Terrell Owens and New Edition member Ronnie DeVoe will batter up. A host of other celebrities are also slated to play. Be ready for a show of athleticism, or lack thereof, from a variety of beloved public figures.
The Celebrity Softball Game, a five-inning contest, is the center activity of All-Star July 12. The following day, July 13, the All-Star Futures Game will showcase baseball’s top minor league prospects. Ticket holders for All-Star Saturday gain access to both events, making for a full day of baseball and starwatching at Truist Park.
This year’s All-Star Week in Atlanta marks a significant return for the Midsummer Classic, bringing a week of baseball celebrations back to the Atlanta area. Beyond the Celebrity Game, the schedule boasts the HBCU Swingman Classic, the Capital One All-Star Village fan festival, the MLB Draft, and the electrifying T-Mobile Home Run Derby. The main event, the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, will cap off the week’s festivities on Tuesday, July 15.
The inclusion of Atlanta’s musical royalty, such as Big Boi and Jermaine Dupri, ensures that visitors from all over the U.S. get a taste of the city’s unique culture.
Black Student Enrollment Shrinks At NYC’s Top High Schools
The stark numbers speak to the overarching issue of education inequality across the nation.
As the number of Black students admitted into New York City’s most selective high school continues to dwindle, outrage about this lack of diversity mounts.
This year, the upcoming freshman class at Stuyvesant High school may only include seven Black students. This abysmal number is also a decrease from last year’s admitted cohort, which only amounted to 10.
This number is especially jarring considering the high school grants admission to 895 students for the freshman class. Now, city officials face backlash as promises to boost diversity have not yielded the desired results.
The decreased numbers not only speaks to the integration issue at NYC public high schools. It also extends to the academic potential and futures of all the cit’y’s students. Often, entry into programs at Stuyvesant and the additionally selective Bronx High School of Science can propel graduates into the Ivy League or other elite colleges.
New York City public schools are unique as they require entrance exams for admission to its top-ranked high schools. However, polarizing efforts to eliminate admission barriers, spearheaded by former Mayor Bill de Blasio, have left Black and other students of colors in the margins. According to TheNew York Times, Black and Hispanic students account for nearly 70% of the city’s public school system.
The former mayor opted to scrap the entrance exam, but pushback from alumni organizations and Asian-American groups led to the proposal never getting off the ground. Currently, Asian students make up 74% of the population at Stuyvesant.
Other options included free test prep, but nothing seems to lessen the gap between other students of color and their acceptance into these institutions. As the numbers get smaller, de Blasio is calling for another “dramatic reform” to fix the seemingly broken system.
“These numbers are even more proof that dramatic reform is necessary to open the doors of opportunity at specialized high schools,” de Blasio said.
Another idea of de Blasio’s also includes taking top performers from high schools across the city as guaranteed acceptances. However, this policy would not replace the entrance exam, a policy-protected by New York Law, at high-ranked schools.
However, the divisive issue has major players in city politics remaining coy, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. The U.S. rep did not state her stance on the issue, instead emphasizing that all public schools should offer the same quality of education as these top-ranked high schools.
Other say they must find a solution that integrates New York City schools without limiting the Asian-American students that have historically benefited from the entrance exam.
“The numbers are abysmal, we knew that,” added Jumaane Williams, the city’s Public Advocate and a Black graduate of Brooklyn Tech. “The question is what do we do about it, how do we do it without needlessly pitting communities against each other?”
In the meantime, the expansion of the state’s Discovery Program, which prepares students who missed the cutoff score for admission into these specialized high schools, aims to help address this looming issue of integration.
‘Sinners’ Debuts As First Film To Stream With Black American Sign Language
The movie continues to make history
Sinners has finally made its streaming debut for everyone at home to watch Ryan Coogler’s highly acclaimed film.
The movie continues to make history with its July 4 release on Max, becoming the first film on the platform to include a version interpreting Black American Sign Language (BASL). Sinners follows Michael B. Jordan as twins Smoke and Stack, as the troubled duo try to open up a juke joint in their Mississippi hometown during the 1930s.
Sinners seamlessly blends classic horror elements in its tale of vampires while still showcasing the plight of Black people during the Jim Crow era. As an original story by Coogler, the unique film and its showcase of Black history through music delighted moviegoers. The film went on to gross over $364 million globally, becoming one of the most profitable original films ever.
Now, fans wanting another watch or those who missed its theatrical run can now catch Sinners two ways on Max. Notably, one version will incorporate BASL, a dialect of American Sign Language created in Black communities. The language derived from Black deaf children placed in separate schools during segregation, leading to the Black deaf community creating a language that includes distinct movements and hand placements to signal certain words.
According to Boston University’s Wheelock Magazine, the study of BASL remains relatively under-supported. However, a deaf studies lecturer, Franklin Jones Jr. , hopes to further unearth its unique history within deaf American history, as well as Black culture.
While not a direct no-hearing replacement for another Black dialect, African American Vernacular English, BASL is its own entity that deserves preservation, upliftment, and validation. Jones does not want BASL swept entirely under the AAVE umbrella either, given that it is not a word-for-word equivalent. While still connected, BASL carries an interpretation and display of words and phrases used within Black deaf communities.
“Very often, we have these conversations where people say, ‘Black ASL and AAVE are the same.’ But in actuality, they are two separate things, and we need to think about them in two separate silos,” explained Jones, who is deaf himself. “We don’t want to automatically pigeonhole Black ASL to be the same as AAVE, because it’s not.”
Jones added,” If we think of ASL as an umbrella, then underneath it we can have Black ASL, Martha’s Vineyard ASL, Indigenous [sign language]. Are those all separate languages? That gives me pause. We just need so much more research in this field to fully understand it.”
Black deaf and hard-of-hearing advocates like Jones promote the continuation and existence of BASL. Its historic roots and persisted use in vulnerable communities makes its exclusive version in Sinners, one of the most popular movies of the year, even more prominent.
New Report Reveals Alarming Rise In Black Women’s Unemployment
An expert said Black women often serve as an early warning sign for the wider workforce.
The general unemployment rate has been steady during the past year for every group of workers — every group of workers that is, except for Black women, which some economic experts warn is a sign of bad things for the overall economy after the latest jobs report was released on July 3.
According to The 19th News, over the last three months, the unemployment rate for Black women has been somewhere around six percent — that figure is twice the unemployment rate of white workers — and this points to potential problems for the overall economic outlook.
Jessica Fulton, a senior fellow at the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a think tank focused on Black Americans, indicated to the outlet that due to the presence of systemic racism and inequity in the labor market, Black workers are always the first ones affected by any underlying issues with the labor market.
“Black workers, and particularly Black women, show up as a canary in the coal mine, giving a picture of what may happen to everyone else later,” Fulton said.
To her point, the overall Black unemployment rate rose to 6.8% in June, after posting a 6% rate in May, a sharp increase that was driven by the increase in Black women’s unemployment, as the unemployment rate of Black men has been consistently above 6% since February, but the overall rate of Black unemployment was somewhat tempered by Black women’s lower unemployment rate.
Black women, in general, are the group of women who participate the most in the labor market, and are often employed in sectors like healthcare, education, and the federal government, which has been hit hard by the job cuts instituted by the federal government’s budget cuts.
Jasmine Tucker, the vice president for research at the National Women’s Law Center, indicated to the outlet that the rising rate of unemployment for Black women is also concerning because, compared to other workers, Black women tend to stay unemployed longer.
Additionally, although Black women are overrepresented within the federal government, in particular within the Department of Education, the Department of Health and Human Services, and Housing and Urban Development, the loss of federal jobs doesn’t completely explain the rise in unemployment for Black women, and there are larger structural issues at play as Kate Bahn, chief economist and senior vice president of research at the Institute for Women’s Policy Research, told the outlet.
“Black women are overrepresented among those jobs,” Bahn said. “But somehow, that’s still not enough to overcome the bigger structural barriers.”
Tucker added that the state of Black women’s unemployment numbers indicates that there is a serious cause for concern, “Are we heading into a recession? Is some action the current administration is going to take going to keep moving us in that direction? Prices remain high, people can’t afford child care — there are a whole host of things people are really nervous about. For me, Black women’s unemployment going up — this is the backbone of our economy, of our labor force. We have cause to be concerned.”
More Hiring Managers Are Using AI To Select Candidates, Here’s Why Job Seekers Should Too
Striking a balanced use of AI can help one stand out best in the evolving job market.
As employers shift toward AI in their hiring processes, job seekers should take heed of the changes.
According to a study conducted by recruiting agency Kelly Services, the majority of hiring managers are implementing AI to screen candidates. The study found that 66% of employers are using the technology to fill new roles.
“They want to use AI to get things faster, look at resumes faster, interview faster, but I still want to make the decision,” explained Mark Saltrelli, the vice president of engineering and recruiting at Kelly Services.
With automated screenings becoming the norm, job seekers are finding it harder to stand out from the crowd. However, the use of AI can work both ways, with candidates also using the tool to overcome this barrier.
Understanding how AI weeds out candidates is the first step. Implementing key phrases that the software will pick up on remains a key, and tailoring one’s resume to suit this process can aid in getting the interview. For some, the job search has become its own game of cat and mouse. However, knowing how to play can make all the difference.
“It was how I was formatting it, and the terminology I was using,” explained one job seeker, Chelsea Jordan, about her resume tweaks to WXYZ. It looks good in general, but for this specific job, if it’s going to get through to a person, it has to say specific words. I guess it just opened my eyes up to, for lack of a better term, the job search can be a game that you have to play, and I think that AI has helped me do that.”
However, making it to the human side of the hiring process is just one part. Once there, job seekers must make sure they can actually speak to their expertise.
“To really differentiate yourself, you still need that people aspect,” added Saltrelli. “You still need to validate that you’ve done the job well, and others can refer you into it.”
On the other hand, too much reliance on AI can become detrimental to job seekers. Tech recruiter Tova Angsuwat explained to LinkedIn News that employers can see through the artificial cover letters.
“The biggest mistake that I’ll often see from candidates is they use AI to write their cover letter,” explained Angsuwat. “They’re so generic and jargony and may or may not even relate to the company or the role. And immediately, I think you didn’t really care enough to put your voice into this cover letter.”
Despite this, she encourages job seekers to use AI to ensure that a submitted resume matches the job description. She also encourages job applicants to practice their interview skills by getting AI to feed them possible questions. Overall, striking a balance with AI usage can lead to more interviews and potential offers in this evolving job market.
NHL Draft Signals Diversity Shift As More Players Of Color Join League
The National Hockey League's draft highlighted increasing diversity within the sport as a record number of players of color were drafted.
The National Hockey League’s recent draft highlighted increasing diversity within the sport, marking a notable shift in a league where, just three years ago, 84% of players, coaches, and front office staff were white.
In 2023, the NHL launched its version of NASCAR’s Drive for Diversity campaign, the Hockey Diversity Alliance, a group whose seeds were planted in the wake of the 2020 murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. The initial chairs of the group were former NHL players P.K. Subban and Anson Carter, both of whom are Black. The aim of the group is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment so that one of the NHL’s slogans, “Hockey is for Everyone,” is more than an advertising campaign.
On draft night, the work that the diversity alliance has put in over the last two years bore fruit, as more than 20 future NHL players from diverse backgrounds were selected in the NHL Draft.
Videos like this matter; more people are going to fall in love with hockey when they see guys like Bill Zonnon, Kashawn Aitcheson, Malcolm Spence, Aidan Park, and Ryker Lee get drafted. Diversity in hockey matters, and do not let anyone tell you it doesn't. https://t.co/EzBmiH1rK8
Kashawn Aitcheson was selected number 17 overall by the New York Islanders and by virtue of his position as a top 20 pick, is seen by the organization as a player they can build around; and although his big bodychecks are sure to garner highlights, he is seen as a valuable piece of the team’s potential offensive production, per Islanders General Manager Mathieu Darche.
“Kashawn, (you) notice all his hits online, fine, but look at him, he’s almost a point-a-game guy in juniors,” Darche told NHL.com.
Bill Zonnon, a 6’2″, 185-pound winger who also has flashed the positional flexibility to play center, was chosen with pick 22 by the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Zonnon is the son of Canadian immigrants who hail from Togo, and Penguins General Manager Kyle Dubas is excited by the prospect’s ability to quickly thrive when he was inserted into the lineup at center. Zonnon still has some development to do, so he will play at Blainville-Boisbriand while he develops towards cracking the NHL roster.
“I think the thing that was most exciting to us was that he really thrived when he moved to center,” Dubas told NHL.com. “He was excellent at center. Plays in all situations. Plays against the other team’s best players. And as the year went on, it was just his competitiveness, especially in the playoffs for them, was really a driver for his team.”
Carter Amico, a 6’5 225 pound two-way defenseman who has the physical presence associated with his position, was selected in the second round by the Philadelphia Flyers. The 18-year-old Amico has signed a letter of intent to play for Boston University during the 2026-2027 season, and envisions himself in the mold of Florida Panthers defenseman Seth Jones and Chicago Blackhawks defenseman Alex Vlasic.
“Seth Jones is a two-way defenseman like me, but I thought this year I was leaning more on the defensive side,” Amico told NHL.com. “But overall, you can play both sides of the puck, you can defend, you can kill, big, tall right-handed as well. Vlasic, you know, really good defensive presence, shutdown plays, good entry into the house.”
