What started as a seven-city trip three seasons ago will bring the educational exhibit that recognizes the historic impact of diversity in sport to 28 different NHL markets this year. The NHL Black Hockey History Tour aims to raise awareness of the League's history of pioneering Black hockey players as well as its current Black stars with a variety of interactive features.
Exhibits inside the tour, which will be set up on West Street near McFerson Commons from 2-7 p.m. Tuesday and be free of charge to visit, include a look at hockey cards featuring current and former Black players; multiple video features; memorabilia from Black hockey stars throughout the game's history; recognition of the grassroots efforts to grow the game including the NHL's Hockey is for Everyone program; and an area featuring women of color who have made an impact in the game.
There are also special QR codes that can be scanned so fans can read more and watch videos on their phone featuring the players and pioneers spotlighted.
Memorabilia includes jerseys and equipment from such players as five-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie Grant Fuhr and Val James, the first American-born Black player in NHL history; the skates worn last season by NHLers to celebrate the legacy of Willie O'Ree, the first Black player in league history when he made his debut in 1958 with Boston; and the Tim Hortons-commissioned Barbie doll made two years ago in the likeness of Sarah Nurse, a Canadian hockey star and Olympic medal winner.
"We're featuring those players, those individuals who really had an impact on the sport of hockey," Reynolds said. "It's important for young boys and young girls that come on board to see people who look like them playing the sport."
The tour started a couple of weeks ago at the NHL's Winter Classic in Minnesota and will continue to work its way across the league the rest of the season. Reynolds said nearly 200 youth club teams had access to the exhibit while it was in Minnesota, and the hope is that bringing the bus to more markets the rest of the season will educate fans across North America about this important part of hockey's history, its present and its future.
Connecting those dots for youngsters these days is exactly what Reynolds saw happen when his son played the game as a kid, including the chance to attend a Willie O'Ree Skills Weekend back in the early 2000s in Tampa Bay.
"His hero at the time was (longtime NHL goalie) Kevin Weekes," Reynolds said. "That weekend they were in Tampa, he got an opportunity to meet Kevin Weekes, meet Willie O'Ree, take pictures with them. It's really good. So we try to feature the pioneers of the game."
