February is Black History Month, a time to celebrate some influential Black NHL players. Evander Kane of the Edmonton Oilers, Seth Jones of the Chicago Blackhawks and Ryan Reaves of the Minnesota Wild are just three of the more than 20 current players in the NHL.
These players benefitted from the careers of influential Black players who blazed a trail for them to travel. February is a good time to pay tribute to some of those players who have had a positive impact on the game of hockey.
Celebrating Black Pioneers in the NHL
Willie O’Ree – The First One
When discussing the impact of Black players in the NHL, the conversation starts with Willie O’Ree.
The ‘Jackie Robinson of hockey’ broke the colour barrier in 1958 when the Boston Bruins called him up from the Quebec Aces. He played just 45 games over two seasons. However, his impact is still in evidence today.
O’Ree received the Order of Canada in 2008. That same year, the NHL introduced the Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award for utilizing hockey as a platform to build character and develop life skills.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
Grant Fuhr – The Goaltender
While Jarome Iginla may be the best forward, Grant Fuhr is the best Black goaltender to ever play in the NHL.
The native of Spruce Grove, Alberta, led the Edmonton Oilers to five Stanley Cup titles in the 1980s. In the highest-scoring era of the NHL, Fuhr was the goalie who would not let in the next goal.
1987 saw him become the first Black player to win the Vezina Trophy. In 1994, he shared the William Jennings Trophy with fellow Hall of Famer and Buffalo Sabres teammate Dominik Hasek. He is the only Black goalie to reach the 400-win plateau.
Fuhr was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003, the first Black player to earn the honour.
Jarome Iginla – The Forward
Widely regarded as the best Black forward, Jarome Iginla has many firsts in his illustrious career.
His winning ways started in junior hockey, winning two Memorial Cups and a gold medal at the World Junior Hockey Championships. Then, he captured gold at the World Hockey Championship and became the first Black player to earn an Olympic gold medal in men’s hockey.
His best NHL season came in 2001-02 when he captured the Rocket Richard Trophy, the Art Ross Trophy, and the Lester B. Pearson Award, now known as the Ted Lindsay Award. In 2003, he became the second Black captain in NHL history, leading the Calgary Flames for nine seasons.
Iginla leads all Black players with 1,554 games, 625 goals, and 675 assists for 1,300 career NHL points.
He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2020.
P.K. Subban – The Defenceman
P.K. Subban is considered the best Black defenceman to play in the NHL and has a larger-than-life personality to go with his on-ice ability.
The charismatic blue-liner became the first Black player to be named the league’s best defenceman in 2013. That translated into a lucrative contract with the Montreal Canadiens. He decided to donate $10 million to the Montreal Children’s Hospital. He is still beloved in the city.
His philanthropy and charisma will surely open many more doors for other Black players in the future. A television career seems to be the next logical step for this native of Toronto. There is also an entrepreneurial spirit which will shine a positive light on the game of hockey for years to come.
Subban remains a role model for many Black players, including his younger brothers Malcolm and Jordan, who both made it to the NHL.
Mike Grier – The Executive
Mike Grier was the first Black player to appear in 1,000 NHL games and is now making his mark in the front office.
Born in Detroit, Michigan, Grier was the first American-born Black player in NHL history. He made his debut with the San Jose Sharks in 1996.
Last season, his career came full circle as he became the first Black general manager in the NHL, taking over the reins of the same Sharks organization.
Herb Carnegie – The Omission
Herb Carnegie is considered by many to be the best Black player never to appear in an NHL game. Among his efforts to make the game more inclusive, the Carnegie Initiative started in 2021. The Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation provides educational programming and bursaries for those less fortunate.
The exploits of these and other influential Black NHL players over the years deserve a great deal of respect. They made a bumpy road smoother for those following in their footsteps.
MAIN PHOTO: Mary Schroeder, Detroit Free Press, USA Today Network
