O'Ree finalist spotlight: Dean Smith

The Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award is given to an individual who, through hockey, has positively impacted his or her community culture or society. The award honors O'Ree, the former NHL forward who became the first Black player to play in the NHL on Jan. 18, 1958, and has spent more than two decades as the NHL's diversity ambassador. The winner is determined by a fan vote, which is from April 3-16, as well as a judging panel with weighted votes from Willie O'Ree, the NHL and, for the award in Canada, representatives from Hyundai. New this year, there will be a winner from the United States and one from Canada. Today, a look at one of three Canada finalists, Dean Smith.

Dean Smith doesn't want anyone to feel the way he felt as a Black hockey player growing up in Whitney Pier, Nova Scotia.
Smith still remembers being subjected to racist taunts and slurs when he walked by a group of white men outside a store while on his way to a neighborhood rink with his stick in hand and equipment bag over his shoulder.
"They would ridicule me every time I walked by, 'Blacks don't play hockey, your ankles are too weak,' and words I had never heard before," he said. "It got so stressful for me that I stopped walking that way and therefore stopped engaging in organized hockey. I still played hockey for the rest of my life. I still play recreationally occasionally."
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The unpleasant experience is what fuels Smith's passion and efforts today to make hockey more equitable, diverse and welcoming to all.
Smith's work has made him a finalist for the 2023 Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award.

For the past 15 years, Smith has been a driving force behind the Black Ice Youth Hockey program in Halifax. The 20-week program, supported by Hockey Nova Scotia and the Black Ice Hockey & Sports Hall of Fame, offers boys and girls ages 5-10 the opportunity to try hockey in a safe and welcoming environment with peers of the same background and skill level.
Smith is a board member for Hockey Nova Scotia and chair of its Diversity and Inclusion Task Force.
"To be mentioned in the same sentence with Mr. O'Ree is quite a phenomenal accomplishment in and of itself," Smith said. "But what really makes me feel good about this nomination … is it's recognition for the work that I don't claim credit for, but the work we have been doing as a team to build on trying to build equity, diversity and inclusion in the game over the last number of years."
Part of that includes the release of a report in May 2021 by Smith's panel with a set of recommendations to eliminate racism, discrimination and abuse in hockey along with suggestions for making the sport more diverse and inclusive.
"We went to players of color who are still in the game and what experiences they're having," he said. "We examined players of color who were in the game and left the game because of racism, and we also spoke with Nova Scotians of color who never entertained the game in the first place because they didn't feel like it was a place for them. We also examined members of the 2SLGBTQ+ community."

Smith sees the game from ice level as a hockey dad and volunteer coach for two Chebucto Minor Hockey Association teams along with working with Nova Scotia's first NHL/NHL Players' Association BIPOC First Shift program. First Shift is designed to ensure a positive experience for new-to-hockey families by offering a low-cost entry into the sport.
Smith said he brings a courtroom lawyer's tenacity to the diversity and inclusion effort. It comes natural for him; he's an attorney for the Canadian government who does civil litigation.
"Whenever I encounter a challenge, whether it be the old systemic barriers or whether it's a naysayer, I'm ready for the battle," Smith said. "I don't mind breaking eggs. But if you really want to work together and you really want to make this game more diverse, equitable and inclusive for everybody, then let's join hands to do it."

Hugh Fraser, chair of the board directors for Hockey Canada and a retired Ontario judge, said Smith's determination has benefitted the hockey landscape.
"His generosity in giving back to the community, the positive impact that he's clearly had, he really exemplifies what the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award is all about," Fraser said.
The winner from Canada will receive the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award presented by Hyundai in Canada. The Canada winner will be announced on Sportsnet during the 2023 Stanley Cup Final and the U.S. winner will be announced at the NHL Awards on June 26 in Nashville. Each winner will receive a $25,000 USD prize, and the four remaining finalists will receive $5,000, to be donated to a charity of their choice.