Vancouver, B.C.- The Vancouver Canucks are honoured to join in the celebration of Black History Month this February. The month-long celebration will be highlighted by the team's second annual Black History Month game on Monday, February 13 against the Detroit Red Wings, presented by Budweiser.
Canucks to Celebrate Black History Month in February
…Second annual Black History Month game set for February 13 vs Detroit, presented by Budweiser
"The Vancouver Canucks take an enormous amount of pride in trying to make the game of hockey a more diverse, inclusive and safe space," said Michael Doyle, President, Canucks Sports & Entertainment, Business Operations. "Black History month gives us a tremendous opportunity to showcase and highlight hockey's ability to bring people together, to educate, enlighten and more importantly to inspire our fans to see the good in the game. We look forward to some incredible storytelling this month to raise awareness and support, spark discussion and initiate some important conversations."
The Canucks join other teams across the league in celebrating Black History Month as part the Hockey is for Everyone initiative, a joint initiative by the NHL and the NHLPA to promote inclusion in hockey. The NHL's Black History Month theme for 2023 is Black Hockey History is NOW, which highlights the significant contributions and invaluable impact that the present and next generation of Black athletes will have on the game of hockey. Throughout the entire month, the Canucks will be amplifying voices within the Black hockey community and with stories being shared across the team's official social media platforms.
In commemoration of Black History Month, the Canucks' Black History Month game vs Detroit on February 13 will focus on Black history, culture, and excellence in BC hockey. There will be many exciting and inspiring activations on game day, beginning outside on the North Plaza with a performance by HB Wild, and a themed welcome wall. Inside Rogers Arena, fans will be treated to additional performances throughout the night from the AHSIA (anthems), Habi & Friends, rapper Teon Gibbs, and more.
Fans are also invited to visit the Canucks Black History Block Party market, presented by Budweiser, between sections 122-103, which will offer several stations including the BC Black History Awareness Society and Black Business Association of BC. There will also be delicious food from Surrey-based Tommies Jerk Jamaican Cuisine and Budweiser's #TapeOutHate stand where the Canucks and Budweiser will each donate $1 to the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) for every roll of tape sold. The HDA is a group of current and former NHL players whose purpose is to eradicate systemic racism and intolerance in hockey through grassroots programs, anti-racism education, social justice initiatives, youth scholarships, training, and more.
In addition to other arena activations, the Canucks will be wearing special Black History Month warm-up jerseys designed by award-winning artist, Yared Nigussu. Nigussu channeled his Ethiopian-Canadian background to reimagine the Canucks Orca and shoulder patches with rich colours, patterns, and textile designs of Ethiopia. The stick-in-rink shoulder patches will display Genna sticks, used in traditional Ethiopian field hockey, and each player's jersey will feature Ge'ez numbering from the Amharic language of Ethiopia. These one-of-a-kind, player-worn warm-up jerseys will be available on
Vanbase.ca
on game day (auction only) alongside other Black History Month merchandise. Details about the auction will be released soon on Canucks social channels and Vanbase.
The Vancouver Canucks are proud to provide a $20,000 donation to the BC Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) on behalf of the Canucks for Kids Fund to support their efforts in providing educational resources, spreading awareness, and advocating for racial diversity across the province. BCBHAS is a registered charity whose purpose is to provide resources that document, educate, and spread awareness of past, present and future achievements of BC's Black community members.
Tickets to the Canucks' second annual Black History Month game on February 13 vs Detroit, presented by Budweiser, can be purchased now at
Ticketmaster.ca
.
About British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS):
The British Columbia Black History Awareness Society (BCBHAS) celebrates the achievements of Black people in BC by creating an awareness of the history of Blacks in BC, stimulating interest in the contributions of persons of African ancestry to BC and Canada today, and celebrating historical and contemporary achievements in the arts, education, government, sports, science etc. They advocate for racial diversity by offering education, assistance and opportunities for Black community members who face unique social and economic barriers to incorporate into Canada's multicultural society.
