Exploring Black Hockey History

In mid-January, the Boston Bruins retired Willie O'Ree's jersey number 22 to celebrate the current league ambassador becoming the first Black player to pull on an NHL uniform. O'Ree broke the barrier in 1958.
The jersey retirement in Boston was planned for last season, but the COVID-19 pandemic postponed O'Ree's and hockey's landmark night. Some ask, "what took so long?" but we can all agree there need be no delay in acknowledging Black achievement in hockey at all levels and addressing with urgency that the sport is welcoming to all who want to be part of it.

The Kraken organization is excited to honor and explore Black History Month throughout February as a part of the NHL and NHL Players' Association month-long celebration. Stay tuned for content on the Kraken app, website and social channels spotlighting both Black history in hockey and the ongoing work of making our sport more inclusive.
This month we are excited to share the story of John Utendale, local Black hockey hero with a prolific playing career that earned him the opportunity to sign with an NHL franchise. Utendale was born in Edmonton but, as good fortune would have it for the Pacific Northwest, made his major impact on the growth of the game in nearby Bellingham.
Later in February, look for special content with Kraken radio play-by-play broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh and TV analyst and former NHL player JT Brown. Throughout their rising careers, they continue to make space for those from communities of color to get in the game.
We will recognize Black History Month at our home games throughout the month. The Feb. 24 game against O'Ree's former team, Boston, marks our first Black History Night at Climate Pledge Arena. Fans won't want to miss this compelling theme takeover at the home of the Kraken.
NHL.com will be featuring a number of stories and videos about hockey's Black history, including a miniseries by "Soul on Ice: Past, Present, Future" documentary producer Kwame Mason. The four-part series, which debuts Feb. 7, follows two aspiring Black hockey coaches, Duante Abercrombie and Nathaniel Brooks, as they joined the Arizona Coyotes coaching staff and players for the team's recent development camp.
True to the Kraken's commitment to inclusion, diversity and equity, the team has no intention of stopping the recognition of Black influence on hockey when the calendar turns to the next month.
In mid-April, fans will have an opportunity to visit the Kraken Community Iceplex for the NHL Black Hockey History Tour April 17 and 18 (more details to come and fans raved about the 2020 stop here in Seattle).
This tour aims to raise awareness of pioneering Black hockey players plus create awareness about its current Black stars. This mobile museum fetes the founders, trail blazers and history makers in our game.