Color of Hockey: Diversity on display during final day of 2023 NHL Draft

NASHVILLE --Diversity was on display during the final day of the 2023 Upper Deck NHL Draft at Bridgestone Arena on Thursday.

Two Indigenous and two Black players were among those selected in rounds 2-7. Here's a look at each one:

Carey Terrance, F, Anaheim Ducks, second round (No. 59)

The 18-year-old forward led Erie of the Ontario Hockey League in goals (30) and was tied for first in points (47) in 67 games this season.

Terrance (6-foot, 178 pounds) also had six points (two goals, four assists) in seven games at the IIHF Under-18 World Championship, including scoring the game-tying goal in the third period for the United States in a 3-2 overtime win against Sweden in the gold-medal game. He was one of two players on the United States' roster who wasn't from the USA Hockey National Team Development Program.

"Carey's got great individual skills," said John Vanbiesbrouck, who is the assistant executive director for hockey operations for USA Hockey. "We were looking for a guy who would bring balance to a lineup, play center, possibly wing, and be a guy that was a force, and he truly was. Anaheim drafted him, they're getting a real good player. He can grow and mature to be a top-line player in the NHL."

Terrance also wants to be a role model and was thrilled to be among the draft prospects who participated in an on-ice clinic for the Nashville Predators' Creating Opportunities for Racial Equality (CORE) program on Tuesday along with members of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition.

Terrance said one of the highlights of his week was being on the ice during the clinic with Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud, defender Brigette Lacquette, who was the first First Nations woman to be named to the Canada women's national team, and forward Abby Roque, who was the first Indigenous woman to play for the United States women's national team.

"I want to be like I am at home, be a great leader and a role model in the community," Terrance said. "I'm not just going to be on the ice, I'm going to be a great role model off the ice too."

Anaheim assistant general manager Martin Madden said Terrance's character was a main selling point in the Ducks selecting him.

"He's a great kid, he lights up a room," Madden said. "He's passionate, he's fast, he's driven, and he's got a really good shot."

After being selected by the Ducks, Terrance said he doesn't know what to expect when he returns home to the Mohawk reservation that encompasses parts of New York, Ontario and Quebec along each side of the St. Lawrence River.

"I know at our rink on the reservation, they had a watch party for today," he said. "I bet they're going crazy right now at home. I don't know what's going to happen. I got surprised with a parade when I got back from the [IIHF Under-18 World Championship]. I don't know how they can top that."

Jayson Shaugabay, F, Tampa Bay Lightning, fourth round (No. 115)

The 18-year-old from Roseau, Minnesota, began the day with a message from cousin and Washington Capitals forward T.J. Oshie.

"He texted me and said good luck, enjoy it," Shaugabay said.

Shaugabay (5-9, 165), who is a member of the White Earth Nation, had 96 points (33 goals, 63 assists) in 31 games for Warroad High School this season, breaking Oshie's school record for all-time points in January. He also had 16 points (three goals, 13 assists) in 27 games with Green Bay of the USHL.

"I think it's a God-given (talent). I see a lot of things that a lot of kids don't at my age," Shaugabay said. "I've always had the chance to work on it being from Warroad, being able to skate for hours a day and just messing around with my buddies. I think it's helped me with my creativity and everything."

Shaugabay, who is committed to the University of Minnesota Duluth, will return to Green Bay next season but said he's looking forward to someday playing for the Lightning and with his favorite player, forward Nikita Kucherov.

Rodwin Dionicio, D, Anaheim Ducks, fifth round (No. 129)

The second time was the charm for Dionicio (6-2, 207), who was bypassed in the 2022 NHL Draft. Born in Newark, New Jersey, and raised in Switzerland, the 19-year-old defenseman 50 points (15 goals, 35 assists) in 50 games in the OHL this season, including 43 points (11 goals, 32 assists) in 33 games after Windsor acquired him in a trade with Niagara on Jan. 6.

Dionicio also scored one goal in five games for Switzerland at the 2023 IIHF World Junior Championship.

"He moved to defense less than two seasons ago, and unbelievable rise when he went from [Niagara] to Windsor, when he went from a young team to an elite defensive team, and basically he led that power play," Madden said. "He's shown that he's coachable, shown that he has unbelievable instincts. He's a great athlete and he's got some runway to get better defensively, and we trust our coaches, in the long run, they'll get that part of the game to come."

Zaccharya Wisdom, F, Seattle Kraken, seventh round (No. 212)

Wisdom (6-foot, 175) has always wanted to visit Seattle, fascinated by seeing the Space Needle in movies.

"I just ready to get down there and do what I need to do," the 19-year-old forward said Thursday from his family's home in Toronto. "They're going to get a guy who works his [butt] off. I'm just going to work hard and do whatever they need me to do, and do it with a smile on my face."

Zaccharya's older brother, Zayde, who was selected by the Philadelphia Flyers in the fourth round (No. 94) of the 2020 NHL Draft, could be heard cheering in the background.

"I think you can tell from my voice that this is a pretty emotional moment for me and my family," Zaccharya said.

Bypassed in the 2022 draft, Wisdom was second in goals (28) and fourth in points (48) for Cedar Rapids of the USHL this season. He's committed to play for Colorado College this fall.

Photos: Andy Scanlon/Cedar Rapids RoughRiders; Remo Agostino/Windsor Spitfires Hockey Club