CCM Hockey has partnered with former NHL player Akim Aliu and has contributed to the Hockey Diversity Alliance and Aliu's foundation to help eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey.
CCM, one of the leading manufacturers of hockey equipment, used an Instagram Live session Thursday with Aliu and Hockey Night in Canada host Ron MacLean to announce the partnership, which includes financial contributions to the alliance and Aliu's Dream Foundation and the donation of 750 complete sets of hockey equipment.
The equipment will go to underprivileged communities across North America for those who are interested in starting to play hockey. Aliu said he'll personally help coach and mentor some the children in hopes of making the game more diverse, inclusive and accessible.
"I want to get into associations and minor hockey programs," Aliu told MacLean. "We want to reach the kids the really need it and wouldn't otherwise be able to play the game. I'm super-excited about this."
The Hockey Diversity Alliance is co-led by Aliu and San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane. Its executive committee includes Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Trevor Daley, Buffalo Sabres forward Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris Stewart and former NHL forward Joel Ward.
The group's mission is to end racism and promote diversity at all levels of the game through community outreach and engagement and to make hockey more affordable and accessible to everyone.
Aliu's Dream Foundation also seeks to increase hockey's diversity along with advocating for civil rights and equality in society.
"We're just trying to get into these communities and introduce this game of hockey," said Aliu, a who was chosen by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round (No. 56) in the 2007 NHL Draft and played seven games for the Calgary Flames between 2011-13. "We feel like hockey is the best game in the world and there's so much untapped potential. There are so many kids just here in North America, go south of the border to the Alabamas, the Floridas, all these places that don't even know what hockey is. If we can bring the game to them the only thing that does is make our game better."
Aliu has been striving to eliminate racism from hockey after he alleged on social media on Nov. 25, 2019 that he was repeatedly subjected to a racial slur by coach Bill Peters when the two were at Rockford of the American Hockey League in 2009 -10. Peters admitted using the slur and resigned as coach of the Calgary Flames on Nov. 29, 2019.
CCM Hockey officials said they're committed to helping the Hockey Diversity Alliance and the Dream Foundation achieve their goals.
"The game of hockey is about courage, commitment to a higher goal, as well as to one another -- no matter race, gender or sexual orientation," CCM Hockey CEO Rick Blackshaw said. "Diversity and inclusion are the high ideals we seek to drive with this initiative. The sport of hockey is a mindset, not a demographic. Hockey is an attitude, not an age. Hockey is a leader, not a gender or race."
