Minnesota’s Summer Showdown is where youth hockey shines in the state, and it draws anyone trying to immerse themselves deeply in the game.
A U-18 hockey team has assembled players from all over the country with one thing in common, thanks to a pair of hockey moms from California who just wanted their sons to have this experience.
Every one of the U-18 Panthers, from across the country, is Black.
Today,the House of Representaives passed Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley's (MA-07) bill to honor hockey legend Willie O’Ree with the Congressional Gold Medal. The bill, which is co-led by Representatives Mike Quigley (IL-05), Brian Higgins (NY-27), Tom Emmer (MN-06) and John Katko (NY-24), passed the Senate in July and will now head to the President’s desk.
O’Ree was the first black player in the National Hockey League (NHL) and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
“Black history is American history, and I am thrilled to see our bill to award Willie O’Ree with the Congressional Gold Medal pass the House of Representatives today,” said Rep. Pressley. “Willie has had a tremendous impact both on and off the ice and the Congressional Medal is a testament to his lifetime of service, his contributions to the game, and the example he has set for Black athletes everywhere. I am honored to play a small part in getting him the recognition he so rightfully deserves, and ensuring Willie takes his rightful place in American history. I am grateful to Congressman Quigley, our colleagues, and the grassroots organizers who helped to make this a reality.”
O’Ree is an extraordinary athlete and activist who overcame numerous challenges and broke historic barriers to ensure that future players of diverse racial backgrounds would have equal opportunities to play hockey. In 1958, O’Ree was called-up from the minors to play for the Boston Bruins, becoming the first black player in NHL history. As the sole black player in the NHL, O’Ree endured racism, bigotry, and prejudice from players and fans on and off the ice. Despite this, he spent more than twenty-four seasons as a professional player in both the NHL and minor leagues. Following his professional hockey career, he became the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, where he established the Hockey Is For Everyone initiative to offer marginalized and disadvantaged children an opportunity to play hockey, create community, and develop important life skills.
The US Senate passed legislation this week to grant Congress' highest honor, the Congressional Gold Medal, to Willie O'Ree, the first Black player to compete in the National Hockey League.
The bipartisan measure to honor Willie O'Ree unanimously passed the chamber on Tuesday. It now must be approved by the US House of Representatives for O'Ree to be awarded the medal. Known as "the Jackie Robinson of hockey," O'Ree, 85, broke the NHL's color barrier in 1958 with the Boston Bruins, one of six teams at the time.
The legislation would award O'Ree the nation's highest civilian award that Congress can bestow "in recognition of his extraordinary contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity."
The bill was first introduced in 2019 by Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow of Michigan and Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina. They reintroduced the legislation in February.
In a statement, Stabenow called O'Ree a "trailblazer for young people across the country," touting his work on the NHL initiative "Hockey Is For Everyone."
"From the hockey arena to serving young athletes in his community, Willie O'Ree's legacy has inspired generations," Scott said. "Willie's career didn't end on the ice; it was punctuated by the generations of athletes he helped navigate the path he paved."
"I look forward to the House acting quickly on this well-deserved recognition of Willie's historic achievements," the senator added.
The Tampa Bay Lightning started three Black forwards in their regular-season finale against the Florida Panthers on Monday night, a rarity in NHL history. Daniel Walcott, Mathieu Joseph and Gemel Smith were out together for the opening face-off didn’t know that they would start together just minutes before the match time.
This is a special moment when you consider that only approximately 3% of NHL players are Black. The NHL and its teams have recently stepped up efforts to increase diversity within the sport through various feeder programs, some of which are funded by the league.
“First of all, they’re all in the NHL for a reason,” said Tampa Bay coach John Cooper. “They deserve to be here and have their tails shaved. They were a little better off to bring them all together. By advancing in the league, it’s no longer a story, it’s a standard. Hope it’s a cool moment for all those who were pretty."
“It was great, man,” said Joseph. “One step in the right direction. It was fun to make progress, it was great to see and it was nice to be able to participate …. The color players in this league want to show to their families and others. I’m in color. Thanks to the coaching staff for doing this. “
Walcott said young black kids interested in hockey want to see something like Monday night and find hope. He was informed by Cooper that he was likely to make his debut on Sunday night, but said he wasn’t told who his linemates were in the game.
“It’s been a while since the whirlwind of emotions,” Walcott said. “It was great to get into that starting lineup …. Corp did something really special here and advertised this for young children.”
It's taken two years but history maker Kelsey Koelzer will make her debut as the head coach of the Arcadia University’s women’s ice hockey head coach in the 2021-2022 season. She is the first African American head hockey coach, male or female in the NCAA.
NOTE: This award was given to Blake Bolden in March of 2019, but it's definitely a story that went under the radar. It's also a story that didn't get the attention it deserved which is why it's being posted now. George L. Cook III AfricanAmericanReports.
Former Boston College women's hockey standout Blake Bolden '13 was named the National Women's Hockey League Defender of the Year , as announced by the league's office.
In 16 regular season games, Bolden registered 13 points on one goal and 12 assists to tie for the league lead among defenders, while also firing 47 shots on goal and blocked 11 shots. In Buffalo's run to the Isobel Cup Final, she added two assists and six blocked shots. Bolden committed just two penalties on the year and finished with a plus-11 rating. She had at least one point in 12 of her 18 games. The NWHL all-star helped anchor a Buffalo defense that put up four shutouts on the season and a league-best 1.50 goals against per game.
"Blake has proven to be successful at every level she has had the opportunity to play at," said BC head coach Katie Crowley. "She is a tremendous role model, leader and person and I am so happy for her to be rewarded for her continued success on the ice."
Bolden is sixth all-time in BC history in defenseman career scoring with 82 points, while her 26 goals rank fourth and her 56 assists sit sixth. She was a Second Team All-American and Hockey East Best Defenseman as a senior in 2013.
Kelsey Koelzer has been a pioneer before.
An African-American woman in ice hockey, she cut her teeth and several other body parts in boys leagues, then became a first-team all-American at Princeton and the National Women’s Hockey League’s top overall draft choice.
Now Koelzer, 24, will break more ground as the first coach of Arcadia University’s new women’s ice-hockey program, which along with a men’s team will begin play in the 2021-22 season.
“To be able to provide more girls an opportunity to play at the college level should be amazing,” Koelzer said. “Hockey helped me get a degree from the best school in the country.”
She’ll start recruiting in October and Arcadia hopes her stature in a sport she discovered at age 4 will propel its new program, which, along with a men’s team, launches in the 2021-22 season. Vince Pietrangelo, the lead assistant at SUNY-Canton, will coach the men.
A Horsham Pennsylvania native, Koelzer was a three-time all-Ivy performer as a Princeton defender and a member of the USA Select Under-22 team. After graduating in 2017, she was drafted into the NWHL and was named its all-star game’s MVP. She’s also a member of the NHL-NHLPA Female Hockey Advisory Committee, a group aiming to increase women’s participation in the sport.
“I’ve mentioned her to some people and they’re impressed. They all say, `Whoa, she’s your coach?’” said Brian Granata, Arcadia’s athletic director. “Her passion is impressive. She’s extremely humble, very mature.”
[SOURCE: PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER]
Jordan Greenway, a junior forward at Boston University, became the first African-American named to the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team when the final roster was announced last week.
Greenway is set to break a 98-year-old color barrier that lasted 23 Olympic cycles.
“It’s special. There’s not a ton of African-Americans who play this game. I think you see more white people playing the game,” Greenway told ESPN at the Winter Classic on Monday. “So this gives me a chance to influence kids who have my skin color. To have them try out different things. To have them not stick to the stereotypes of what sports they’re supposed to play.”
Greenway was a second-round pick (No. 50 overall) by Minnesota in 2015 and could have signed with the Wild in the offseason. Instead, he returned to Boston University with hopes of making the Olympic team.
The 20-year-old from Canton, New York, is the second-youngest player on the U.S. team, which is comprised primarily of players from the American Hockey League and European leagues. Greenway is one of four college players.
The 6-foot-6-inch, 227-pound Greenway has seven goals and 17 points in 19 games this season with Boston University.
He finished with eight points (three goals, five assists) and helped the U.S. capture the gold medal at last year’s World Junior Championship.
Ms. Davis is a highly respected leader in the corporate and philanthropic community, and joins the NHL from leading CEO advisory firm Teneo. As a Senior Managing Director, she built and ran the firm's Corporate Responsibility and Inclusive Leadership practice, advising CEOs and Fortune 500 companies daily.
Prior to Teneo, Ms. Davis enjoyed a 20-plus year career at JPMorgan Chase, where she most recently served as Managing Director of Global CSR, President of the JPMorgan Chase Foundation and as a member of the firm's Executive Committee. Her responsibilities included leading and managing approximately $300 million in annual giving, employee and civic engagement, and strategic corporate marketing sponsorship programs.
"Kim's professional experience uniquely qualifies her to ensure that our League is continuing to improve lives and strengthen and build vibrant communities through hockey as well as provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for anyone associated with our League," said Commissioner Bettman. "We are thrilled to have Kim join the NHL family."
"The impact of sports on community development can be powerful," said Ms. Davis. "Sport can, and does, make a profound and positive impact on individuals, communities and has the opportunity to drive positive social change. Having had the privilege of advising the NHL on its CSR practices, I've experienced an organization that is truly committed to contributing positively to society and fostering inclusiveness. I'm looking forward to advancing the League's mission and working with Commissioner Bettman and the executive leadership team to help drive the continued growth and success of the NHL."
Ms. Davis' passion for equity and leadership led her to build the first women of color affinity group at Chase Manhattan Bank, developing a mentoring program for senior women that became an industry best practice in investment banking, and later developing the initial corporate sponsorship model for Women Moving Millions.
Ms. Davis has been named to The Business Journal's 100 Most Influential Women and Fast Company's 100 Most Creative People in Business. In 2012, she was profiled with First Lady Michelle Obama in Essence magazine's "28 Most Influential Black Women in America.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown raised his right fist during the playing of the national anthem before the team's first road game of the season.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward J.T. Brown says he isn't going to back down anytime soon, standing behind his decision to fund the relocation of a Confederate statue in Tampa and stay vocal when it comes to issues concerning minorities.
It is the first known demonstration of any kind during the anthem in an NHL regular-season game. The NHL has no rules governing what players must do during the national anthem.
Brown, who was scratched for Tampa Bay's season-opening win against Florida, remained standing throughout the anthem Saturday night. Brown, one of approximately 30 black players in the NHL, used the same protest before a preseason game against the Panthers last month.
"I wanted to do something to show my support," Brown told the Tampa Bay Times after the Lightning's 5-4 loss to the Florida Panthers on Saturday. "There are some issues that we have to talk about. So, in my mind, just trying to bring a little more awareness, and any type of conversation that we can get started would be great. I know there's going to be negative backlash. But, in my heart, I know I did what was right."
The Lightning issued a statement later Saturday, saying, "The Tampa Bay Lightning celebrate the moment before every game when we can unite as a community, paying homage to a flag that is representative of our nation and those who have sacrificed. At the same time, we respect our players and individual choices they may make on social and political issues."
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| Kelsey Koelzer |
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| Sarah Nurse |
