Black History Month daily digest

The NHL and NHL Players' Association is celebrating Black History Month in February with 28 days of storytelling and new original content series. NHL.com will be highlighting League, NHLPA and team activations throughout the month with the Black History Month Daily Digest.
Here is the latest Black History Month news from around the League.

Feb. 24

Ali grandson to ring rally siren at Vegas Black History Month game

Nico Ali Walsh, a professional middleweight boxer and grandson of former heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, will ring the rally siren at the start of the Vegas Golden Knights
Black History Month game
against the Colorado Avalanche at T-Mobile Arena on Saturday.
In addition, funds will be raised to benefit a scholarship through the Urban Chamber of Commerce, when special autographed jerseys worn pregame by the Golden Knights are auctioned off.
Those interested in taking part in the auction can visit HERE.

Carnegie remembered by family on Maple Leafs video

Herb Carnegie never played in the NHL, but the Toronto Maple Leafs remembered him during Black History Month as a pioneer among Black hockey players, posting a video tribute from his daughter Bernice and grandson Rane.
"It's kind of amazing to me thinking that he actually has influenced generations of lives," Bernice Carnegie said.
Carnegie, a Toronto native, played in the Quebec Provincial Hockey League and Quebec Senior Hockey League from 1944-54 and then opened the Future Aces hockey school. He was offered a contract by the New York Rangers in 1948 and could have been the first Black player in the NHL, but he rejected their offer.

Feb. 22

Capitals to celebrate Black History Month

The Washington Capitals will celebrate Black History Night presented by Capital One on Monday 28 when they host the Toronto Maple Leafs. The evening will honor the organization's history, celebrate Black achievement in hockey and highlight how the Capitals are working to further grow the game in the region. In addition, several elements will honor the Washington, D.C.,-based Fort Dupont Cannons, the oldest minority hockey program in North America, including special warmup jerseys.
Click
here for details. 

Flyers announce UNCF scholarship

The Philadelphia Flyers announced a first-of-its-kind, multiyear agreement with the United Negro College Fund to award college academic scholarships for local, college-bound high school students who are involved with the sport of hockey. The Flyers are the first NHL team to formally partner with UNCF to create the "Philadelphia Flyers Rising Leaders Scholarship." At their game against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, the Flyers Charities will present officials from the UNCF with a $40,000 donation, which will fund the scholarship over the next four years.

Feb. 21

Debbie Montgomery recognized

This week's Color of Hockey column profiles Debbie Montgomery, a co-founder of the Mariucci Inner City Hockey Starter Association in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area.

Feb. 20

Black players from Scarborough featured by NHL.com

For 25 straight seasons, there has been at least one Black player in the NHL with roots from Scarborough, Ontario, thanks in large part to a hockey school that has included instruction, and even funding, by Black NHL players who have come from there, in turn inspiring younger generations of players since the 1990s.
Read
about it here. 

Feb. 18

Kraken announcers make history

Everett Fitzhugh and JT Brown made history as the
first all-Black NHL broadcast team
when they called the game between the Seattle Kraken and Winnipeg Jets at Canada Life Centre in Winnipeg on Thursday.
Fitzhugh, Seattle's radio play-by-play voice, shared the booth with Brown, a former NHL player who is the Kraken's television analyst on local ROOT Sports Northwest telecasts, for the 5-3 Jets victory.

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Feb. 17

NHL recognizes Kevin Weekes

As part of its Black History Month celebration, the NHL is recognizing Kevin Weekes, who, in his 13th year as a broadcaster, is an analyst for ESPN.

Feb. 16

O'Ree appears on "The Daily Show"

Willie O'Ree skated through hurdles to make history in the NHL, and he did it all partially blind.
The first Black player in the NHL
joined host Trevor Noah o
n "The Daily Show" to discuss breaking the color barrier in the League. O'Ree made his debut with the Boston Bruins during the 1957-58 season.

Kraken announcers appear on 'The Chirp' podast

Everett Fitzhugh and JT Brown will make history as the first all-Black NHL television broadcast team when they call the Seattle Kraken's game at the Winnipeg Jets on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; NHLN, TSN3, ROOT-NW, NHL LIVE).
They were guests on "The Chirp with Daren Millard" podcast on Wednesday.
Click here
for all the details.

Feb. 15

Rodgers recognized by NHL

As part of its Black History Month celebration, the NHL is recognizing Nina Rodgers. As as assistant with the Dartmouth College women's hockey team, she is the first Black women's coach in Division I hockey. Read about Rodgers below.

Feb. 14

Val James celebrates 65th birthday

Val James, the first Black American to play in the NHL, turned 65 on Monday.
Born in Florida and raised in New York, James made his historic NHL debut for the Buffalo Sabres against the Philadelphia Flyers on Nov. 1, 1981.
James played 11 NHL games with the Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs.
The Sabres celebrated his birthday on social media.

Devils recognize Subban

The New Jersey Devils posted a graphic on their Twitter account Monday recognizing P.K. Subban as the first Black player to win the Norris Trophy voted as the top defenseman in the NHL, which he did with the Montreal Canadiens in 2013.
Subban is playing his third season with the Devils after 10 seasons with the Nashville Predators and Canadiens.

Vilgrain discusses facing racism

Claude Vilgrain said he faced vicious racist taunts when he began playing junior hockey in 1980 but refused to give up on his dream to play in the NHL.
"I don't know how many bananas got thrown at me, and the monkey signs in the stands, but I told myself I would never ever let them get to me like they did at my first hockey game," Vilgrain said on the "Speak of the Devils" podcast.
Vilgrain scored 53 points (21 goals, 32 assists) in 89 NHL games with the Vancouver Canucks, New Jersey Devils and Philadelphia Flyers from 1987-94.
You can hear more from Vilgrain HERE.

Feb. 10

'NHL Bound' Episode 1 debuts

The

" debuted on Thursday. The new series follows Duante' Abercrombie and Nathaniel Brooks, two Black hockey coaches chasing their dream to work in the NHL. The weekly series chronicles their participation in the Arizona Coyotes' first coaching internship program, dedicated to creating a deeper pool of diverse talent. Viewers will get a behind-the-scenes look at the Coyotes' management and coaching staff operations as well as Abercrombie and Brooks' personal dedication, sacrifices, and passion for shattering stereotypes and earning their place behind an NHL bench.

Feb. 9

Black Hockey History Month video posted by Jets

The Winnipeg Jets posted a video featuring still photos and videos of current and past Black players in the NHL and Black youth hockey players.
The message centered on inclusion for all, not only during Black History Month but every day.

Red Wings salute Smith brothers

In a nod to Black History Month, the Detroit Red Wings posted photos of brothers Givani Smith and Gemel Smith for Wallpaper Wednesday.
Gemel is the older brother at 27; the forward was claimed off waivers by the Red Wings from the Tampa Bay Lightning on Jan. 19. Younger brother Givani is 23; the forward was selected by Detroit in the second round (No. 46) of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Lindo tells his story

Jaden Lindo is the manager of community relations for the Pittsburgh Penguins. The former forward, whose parents immigrated from Jamaica to Canada, was selected in the sixth round (No. 173) of the 2014 NHL Draft by the Penguins, though he did not play in the NHL.
The Penguins posted a video narrated by Lindo about his hockey journey, during which he names Jarome Iginla as an inspiration.

Maple Leafs salute Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes

The Toronto Maple Leafs posted a video saluting the Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes, which was created in Nova Scotia in 1895.
Director Kwame Damon Mason put the video together for Maple Leafs Celebrating Black Excellence.

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Feb. 7

BIPOC Coaches Program

The National Hockey League Coaches Association created the BIPOC Coaches program in 2020.
Its initiative "aims to specifically support black, indigenous and coaches of colour in several areas including skills development, leadership strategies, communication tactics, networking, and career advancement opportunities."
On Monday the NHLCA posted two tweets recognizing BIPOC coaches working in the American Hockey League, ECHL and in Switzerland, including former NHL players Fred Brathwaite and Joel Ward.
To find out more about the NHLCA BIPOC Coaches Program, click HERE.

Feb. 6

Peterson 'humbled' to be first Black assistant GM in NHL

The NHL saluted Brett Peterson, the Florida Panthers assistant general manager and first Black assistant GM in League history, with a Twitter post Sunday.
In a clip from an interview with Dan Rosen of NHL.com included in the post, Peterson said he was 'humbled' by the distinction.

Penguins aim to Inspire, Connect, Elevate

The Pittsburgh Penguins have established a three-fold approach to Black History Month.
They plan to share "Inspiring stories of historic resilience, Connecting our fans to one another through their love for hockey, and Elevating black leaders and change makers."
Find out more about the Penguins inititaives HERE.

Feb. 5

O'Ree presented with game-worn Gulls jersey

Willie O'Ree was recently presented with a game-worn jersey of his when he played for the San Diego Gulls, then of the Western Hockey League.
The Gulls, who play in the American Hockey League, shared a clip from Gulls All Access on their Twitter account.
O'Ree's number 20 is retired by the Gulls. He played for them from 1967-74.

Penguins highlight Pierre-Olivier Joseph

The Pittsburgh Penguins are highlighting Black players who have played for them with Twitter videos during Black History Month.
They featured defenseman Pierre-Olivier Joseph on Friday. The 22-year-old was the No. 23 pick in the 2017 NHL Draft by the Arizona Coyotes and has played 20 games in the NHL, all with the Penguins after they acquired him in a trade June 29, 2019.

Kraken share plans for Black History Month

The Seattle Kraken laid out their plans for Black History Month, including Black History Night presented by Alaska Airlines at Climate Pledge Arena on Feb. 24 against the Boston Bruins.
The Kraken will also feature special online stories about the journeys of their radio broadcaster Everett Fitzhugh and television anayst, and former NHL player, JT Brown.
Click HERE for more information about what the Kraken have in store during the month of February and beyond.

Feb. 4

Maple Leafs celebrate "Black Excellence"

The Toronto Maple Leafs posted a video celebrating "Black Excellence" on Thursday.
The video features Maple Leafs forward Wayne Simmonds and several Black players who previously played for Toronto, including Grant Fuhr, Val James and Jamal Mayers.

Feb. 3

Panthers wear "We Stand Against Racism" shirts

The Florida Panthers released a short videon their Twitter account showing the players wearing tee shirts stating "We Stand Against Racism" before their game against the New York Rangers on Tuesday.
Forward Anthony Duclair said in the video, "That was an awesome initiative by the whole organization."

Flyers use #TapeOutHate tape

The Philadelphia Flyers skated during warmups prior to their 3-1 win against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday with #TapeOutHate tape on their sticks. The special tape is inspired by the anti-racism campaign launched in partnership with the Hockey Diversity Alliance and Budweiser Canada.
The team also celebrated Black History Month by having Dr. Ala Stanford perform the ceremonial puck drop. Stanford is the founder of the Black Doctor's COVID-19 Consortium (BDCC). The Flyers partnered with the BDCC earlier this season on the Take Your Shot COVID-19 vaccination campaign.

Feb. 2

NHL highlights Seth, Caleb Jones of Blackhawks

Seth and Caleb Jones were featured by NHL ahead of the Chicago Blackhawks' home game against Minnesota Wild (9:30 p.m. ET; TNT, TVAS). In a special Black History Month graphic, the NHL tells the story of how two sons of an NBA star became NHL players.

Feb. 1

Rangers holding Black History Month night

The New York Rangers will start the Black History Month celebration during their game against the Florida Panthers at Madison Square Garden on Tuesday (7 p.m. ET; ESPN+, HULU, TVAS, NHL LIVE). The Rangers will highlight the trailblazers who broke barriers and continue to lead the global fight for racial equality.
Click here for full details.

Capitals honoring Black players with arena display

The Washington Capitals are honoring the history and legacy of their Black players with a permanent display inside Capital One Arena.
Fans will get their first in-person look at the display when the Capitals host the Edmonton Oilers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; TNT, SN, TVAS, NHL LIVE). The unveiling is part of the Capitals' celebration of Black History Month.
Click here for full details.

NHL, NHLPA start celebration

The NHL and the NHL Players' Association announced its plans to celebrate Black History Month, including a new video series called the "The Bound," and 28 days of storytelling and content.
Read about it here.
Watch the video here.