There are more than 700 players in the NHL; fewer than 50 are Black or people of color. This is one of the goals of the Hockey Diversity Alliance.

six players

The game is played between two teams of eleven, 10 field players and one goal keeper, are permitted to be on the pitch at any one time. The remaining players may be substituted in any combination. There is an unlimited number of times a team can sub in and out.

NHL Player Count since 2010-11

There is no one “right” path for a young player to take on his journey to reach the National Hockey League. … Per AHL By-Laws, the age limit for eligibility to compete in the league is 18 years or over, on or before September 15 of each season.

68.7%

In 1956, Robinson’s final year in the majors, African-Americans made up 6.7 percent of major league rosters. At the start of the 2020 season, that number was 7.8 percent, according to Major League Baseball, and several teams, including the Diamondbacks didn’t have an African-American player on their Opening Day roster.

Willie O’Ree

Jarome Iginla is a Black Canadian right winger. He is the Calgary Flames’ all-time leader in goals, points, and games played. Iginla is the first black NHL player to win the Art Ross Trophy (leading point scorer) and the first to win the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy (leading goal scorer), both in 2002.

But this year, on opening day 2021, just 7% of players on MLB rosters are American-born Black athletes.

This milestone was recognized by the National Hockey League throughout the season at both the local and national levels—including events celebrating the diversity of the game and the Hockey is for Everyone initiative. O’Ree resides in San Diego, California.

Willie O’Ree’s career, including his pioneering NHL breakthrough, has been widely recognized. In 2006, O’Ree was added to the Black Ice Hockey and Sports Hall of Fame. He was honoured by the NHL during the 2008 NHL All-Star Game in Atlanta.

During the 1955–56 season, while O’Ree was playing for the Kitchener Canucks of the Ontario Hockey Association, O’Ree lost about 95 percent of the vision in his right eye after he was hit by a puck that also broke his nose and cheekbone.

Kevin Hodgson

“On behalf of the National Hockey League family, we congratulate Willie O’Ree on being awarded the Order of Canada in recognition of his lifetime of outstanding achievement, service and dedication to the community. As Director of Youth Development for the League, he continues today to provide opportunity to youth.

Lester Patrick Trophy Winner Allen Has Seen it All.

He was one of 13 children, including twins who died in infancy. Willie had an older brother, Richard, who was a good athlete and he followed in his brother’s skate strides. He began skating at age three and joined a hockey league when he was five years old. “Every chance I had, I was on the ice,” O’Ree recalled.

Willie Eldon O’Ree, CM ONB (born October 15, 1935) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, best known for being the first black player in the National Hockey League (NHL).

Fredericton, Canada

That mere fact still seems to overwhelm Simmonds, who calls O’Ree a huge influence in his life. “When I was 6 years old, that’s when I started playing hockey and he was one of the first players my parents introduced me to, just obviously part of our culture,” Simmonds said.

1957Boston Bruins

Willie O’Ree became the first black man to play in the NHL during the 1957-58 season, and his impact continues to be felt for generations. “Growing up he was my No. 1 role model,” Simmonds said. “My parents made sure that was the first guy in hockey I knew — Willie O’Ree.

Deljeet Kaur Manak O’Ree

three 20-minute

2003

Pittsburgh Penguins