Capitals honor 'D.C. legend' Henderson on Black History Night

On the last day of Black History Month, the Washington Capitals celebrated Black history's contributions of the past and honored those who are diversifying the game of the future.

Specifically, Fort Dupont Cannons coach Neal Henderson.
Henderson co-founded the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club after noticing a greater demand for organized hockey in the Washington D.C. area in 1978. Known as the Cannons, Henderson's developmental program is the oldest minority hockey league in North America, providing local and inner-city youth skaters aged 8 to 18 the opportunity to learn the game and develop a sense of community.
"I started this program from the driveway of my home with the kids in the neighborhood," Henderson said in a Capitals Twitter video. "My kids graduate out of hockey and go on to play hockey in colleges, [become] lawyers, doctors, firemen, fighter pilots, teachers, people who become prominent citizens."
In 2019, Henderson became the first Black individual inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame, to which he said that Norm Burnier, his first hockey coach, was the biggest influence on his career. Now, many players say the same of Henderson.
"I would consider him a D.C. legend," former Fort Dupont Cannons player Devan Abercrombie said. "Coach Neal instills hard work and dedication. He wants you working hard in practice. He wants you to have your grades right."

Fort Dupont provides gear and ice time to the players at no cost, as they earn it. Once they learn to skate, they earn their stick and gloves, Cannons assistant coach Ralph Featherstone said.
"Hockey gives you the lumps and bumps of life, and if you can learn to conquer those with honor and respect and dignity, you can conquer anything else in life," Henderson said.
The 82-year-old coach knows hockey is for everyone. To honor his commitment to making sure others know that too, the Capitals wore special Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club patches on their jerseys and Coach Neal decals on their helmets during the game against the Toronto Maple Leafs at Capital One Arena on Monday.
When shown the Capitals' Black History Night uniform for the first time, Henderson cried.
"I wish my mom and dad could see this," he said.

Henderson's impact on the game is felt far and wide, from young players to NHL history makers. Willie O'Ree, the first Black player to skate in the NHL, being one of them.
"Neal Henderson, I call him Mr. Hockey because he's been great," O'Ree said.