Gomez on Diversity, Inclusion and Wild Stories from the Past | PODCAST

Former Devils forward Scott Gomez broke many barriers during his playing days as a Mexican-American player in the NHL. Though he understood that his background was different - his father, Carlos, is Mexican and his mother, Dalia, is Colombian - growing up in diverse city like Anchorage, Alaska made Gomez feel like just another kid playing hockey.
And now, locker rooms cities all across America and Canada are starting to look like those in Anchorage.
"You got to rinks now and It's more diverse, and that's great," Gomez told the Speak of the Devils podcast prior to the team's Hispanic Heritage Night. "I can't take credit for that because I grew up in Anchorage, Alaska where it was not a big deal. You go into the locker room, and it was all different races."
Through his 16-year NHL career, which included two Stanley Cup championships, reporters had focused on his race. Though the real story, he said, was his parents.
"The poverty thing was their story," Gomez said. "I'd always tell the media, if you want to hear a story that'll make you cry, go talk to my mom or dad. I can't relate to that. I can't relate to the way they grew up."

Carlos worked full time from 10th grade and moved to Anchorage in 1972 to work in construction. It was in Alaska where Carlos met Dalia. And when their son, Scott, wanted to play hockey like all the other boys in the city, the parents were supportive.
"I was a spoiled kid like anyone else that played hockey," Gomez said. "But that's where I always took pride, me being Latin, the sacrifices my mom and dad made, even to get me to start playing hockey and the support I had from them growing up and to this day. There's a reason why I made it and a reason why I'm talking right now, it's because of my mom and dad. They get all the credit when it comes to that."
Here are some other topics Gomez discussed on the podcast...
New Jersey Devils Official Podcast
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Scott Gomez | Speak of the Devils