The Florida Panthers have made history today. They have hired the first Black assistant general manager in league history with Brett Peterson. This is a major step forward in personnel. The NHL announced the hiring early Tuesday afternoon.
Brett Peterson was named assistant general manager of the Panthers. He is believed to be the first Black assistant GM in the NHL. https://t.co/ZbSSD92FgA
— NHL.com (@NHLdotcom) November 17, 2020
Panthers Hire Brett Peterson
Peterson is very familiar with the game of hockey. He played for Boston College and served as a vice president for hockey at Wasserman, a well-known sports marketing agency. He was also one of two Black agents certified as sports agents by the NHL Players Association. His experience should be a huge benefit to the Panthers’ organization.
He takes a role under current Florida manager, Bill Zito, who assumed the role following Dave Tallon’s departure. Zito and Peterson should be a fantastic duo with their experience playing and marketing the sport of hockey. It is also refreshing to see two individuals who are not the usual retreads that often populate front offices. The Panthers are in a great situation with a solid core and talent all over the ice. Zito and Peterson just need to find a way to navigate a challenging financial picture with depressed league revenues and a competitive landscape.
This Is Huge In Many Ways
It’s hard to undersell this hiring. Not only did Florida acquire an experienced and talented hockey mind, but they also demonstrated a commitment to diversity in the workplace. A lack of said diversity has plagued the league for years, but this is another sign that the mindset is changing. The Seattle Kraken hired the league’s first Black broadcaster earlier this year. Peterson is just another demonstration of the team’s commitment to showing that hockey is inclusive of everyone who has the talent and passion for hockey. There is plenty more to do, but this is a fantastic step in the right direction.
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