The National Hockey League (NHL) evolved from a mono-ethnic and primarily Canadian professional athletic league to span North America.[1][2][3][4][5] The distribution of ethnic groups has been gradually changing since the inception of the NHL.[6] The league consists of a variety of players from varying nationalities and diverse backgrounds. Once known as a league riddled with racism and exclusiveness, the NHL has made some positive steps toward a more diverse and inclusive institution.[7]

The NHL began its expansion of player nationalities in the 1970s, when players hailed from the United States, Sweden, and Finland.[8] The share of Canadians in the league dropped to 75% by the 1980s and is now slightly less than 50%.[8] In 2011, the NHL was composed of 93% of players who identified as white, with the remaining 7% identifying as varying ethnicities.[9]

History

A number of ice hockey leagues for players of African descent formed in Canada as early as the late-19th century. The Coloured Hockey League was an all-black ice hockey league established in 1895. Operating across the Maritime provinces of Canada, the league operated for several decades until 1930.

Although other minor ice hockey leagues saw integration in the early 20th century (including the Quebec Senior Hockey League), the major league NHL did not see its first non-white player until November 16, 1926 with Indigenous Native American Taffy Abel broke the NHL color barrier that day with the New York Rangers.[10]

On March 13, 1948 Larry Kwong was an Asian playing with the New York Rangers.[11] Born in Vernon, British Columbia, Kwong was a Chinese Canadian of Cantonese descent.[12] In 1953, Fred Sasakamoose was the first Cree NHL player, and the first Canadian indigenous player in the NHL, debuting with the Chicago Black Hawks. On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree became the first Black Canadian to play in the NHL. Playing with the Boston Bruins, he was also the first NHL player of African descent.[13] Val James was the first African American player to play in the NHL. James signed his contract with the Buffalo Sabres in 1982.[14] His stints with the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs were short lived and he eventually retired in 1987 due to injury.[14] The number of black NHL players was to 26 by the end of the 20th century and sat at 32 in 2016.[9]

Non-black minorities

In addition to black and white players, other races and ethnicities represented in the NHL include players of Asian, Latino, and Middle Eastern descent.

 = NHL All-Star[15] ·  = NHL All-Star[15] and NHL All-Star team ·  = Hall of Famers
  • Bold = Currently playing in NHL
  • Italics = Stanley Cup champions
  • * = Yet to have played an NHL game for their respective team

Asian descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
CanadaVictor BartleyOttawa, OND1998–2015NSH, MTLBiracial, Taiwanese[16]
CanadaRobin BawaDuncan, BCRW1987–1999WSH, VAN, SJS, ANAPunjabi[17]
CanadaChris Beckford-TseuToronto, ONG2007–2008STLJamaican-Chinese[18][19]
CanadaJacob BrysonLondon, OND2021–presentBUFBiracial, Korean
CanadaMatt DumbaRegina, SKD2013–presentMIN, ARIRomanian-German-Filipino
Canada/ChinaSpencer FooEdmonton, ABRW2017–presentCGY, VGK*Chinese
JapanYutaka FukufujiKushiro, JapanG2006–2007LAKJapanese
CanadaAkito HiroseCalgary, ABD2022–presentVANJapanese
CanadaTaro HiroseWinnipeg, MBLW2018–presentDETJapanese
CanadaJosh Ho-SangToronto, ONRW2016–2019NYIJamaican-Jewish-Chinese[20]
CanadaPeter IngToronto, ONG1989–1994TOR, EDM, DETBiracial, Chinese[21]
CanadaPaul KariyaNorth Vancouver, BCLW1994–2010ANA, COL, NSH, STLJapanese-Scottish[22]
CanadaSteve KariyaNorth Vancouver, BCRW1999–2000VANJapanese-Scottish
CanadaJujhar KhairaSurrey, BCLW2014–presentEDM, CHI, MINPunjabi[23]
CanadaLarry KwongVernon, BCC1947–1948NYRChinese[24]
CanadaManny MalhotraMississauga, ONC1998–2016NYR, DAL, CBJ, SJS, VAN, CAR, MTLPunjabi-French[25]
NorwayAndreas MartinsenBærum, NorwayLW2015–2019COL, MTL, CHIUgandan Indian-Norwegian[26]
CanadaJon MatsumotoOttawa, ONC2010–2012CAR, FLAJapanese-German
CanadaJim PaekSeoul, South KoreaD1987–2003PIT, LAK, OTTKorean[27]
United StatesRichard ParkSeoul, South KoreaRW1996–2010PIT, NYI, MIN, VANKorean[28]
United StatesJason RobertsonArcadia, CALW2019–presentDALScottish-Filipino[29]
United StatesNicholas RobertsonArcadia, CALW2020–presentTORScottish-Filipino
United StatesBobby RobinsPeshtigo, WIRW2014–2015BOSBiracial, Filipino
CanadaRaymond SawadaRichmond, BCRW2008–2011DALJapanese-Italian
CanadaDevin SetoguchiTaber, ABRW2007–2018SJS, MIN, WPG, CGY, LAKBiracial, Japanese[30]
United StatesKiefer SherwoodColumbus, OHRW2018–presentANA, COL, NSHBiracial, Japanese
United StatesKole SherwoodNew Albany, OHRW2018–presentCBJ, NSHBiracial, Japanese
CanadaDevin ShoreAjax, ONC2015–presentDAL, ANA, CBJ, EDM, SEABiracial, Filipino
SwitzerlandJonas SiegenthalerZürich, SwitzerlandD2018–presentWSH, NJDSwiss-Thai
CanadaDylan SikuraAurora, ONC2018–presentCHI, VGK, COL, ANA*Slovak-Japanese[31]
CanadaJordan SpenceSydney, AustraliaD2021–presentLAKBiracial, Japanese
United StatesTim StapletonLa Grange, ILC2008–2012TOR, ATL, WINIrish-Filipino[32]
CanadaJamie StorrBrampton, ONG1994–2004LAK, CARBiracial, Japanese
CanadaNick SuzukiLondon, ONC2019–presentMTLJapanese-Scottish[33]
United StatesDavid TanabeWhite Bear Lake, MND1999–2008BOS, CARJapanese[34]
United StatesMike WongMinneapolis, MNC1975–1976DETChinese-Native
United StatesKailer YamamotoSpokane, WARW2017–presentEDM, SEABiracial, his father is half-Japanese and his mother is half-Hawaiian[35]
Canada/ChinaBrandon YipVancouver, BCRW2009–2014COL, NSH, PHXBiracial, Three quarter-Chinese and one quarter-Irish[36]

NHL career

These are the top-ten players of Asian descent by career points, goals, and assists. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; G/G = Goals per game; A/G = Assists per game

Franchise career

These are the top-ten players of Asian descent, by career points, goals, and assists, when counting only their production with a specific franchise. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; G/G = Goals per game; A/G = Assists per game

First Nation/Native American descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
CanadaGeorge ArmstrongSkead, OntarioRW1949–1971TORBiracial Ojibwe-Canadian[37]
CanadaBryan TrottierVal Marie, SaskatchewanC1975–1994NYI, PITBiracial Cree-Canadian[38]
CanadaTed NolanGarden River, OntarioLW1981–1986DET, PITOjibwe-Canadian[39]
CanadaGrant FuhrSpruce Grove, AlbertaG1981–2000EDM, TOR, BUF, LAK, STL, CGYBiracial Cree and Afro-Canadian[40]
CanadaEverett SanipassElsipogtog First Nation, New BrunswickLW1986–1991CHI, QUEMi'kmaq[41]
CanadaCraig BerubeCalahoo, AlbertaLW1986–2003PHI, TOR, CGY, WSH, NYIBiracial Cree-Canadian[42]
CanadaTheoren FleuryOxbow, SaskatchewanRW1988–2003CAL, NYRMétis Canadian[43]
CanadaGino OdjickManiwaki, QuébecLW1990–2002MTL, NYI, VAN, PHIBiracial Algonquian-Canadian[44]
CanadaBlair AtcheynumEstevan, SaskatchewanRW1992–2001OTT, NSH, STL, CHICree descent[37]
CanadaArron AshamPortage la Prairie, ManitobaRW1998–2014MTL, NYI, NJD, PHI, PIT, NYRMétis Canadian[37]
CanadaJordin TootooChurchill, ManitobaRW2003–2017NSH, NJD, DET, CHIInuit[45]
CanadaRené BourqueLac La Biche, AlbertaLW2005–2017MTL, CAL, CLB, CHIMétis Canadian[46]
Canada Carey Price Vancouver, British Columbia G 2007–present MTL Biracial Dakelh-Canadian
United States T. J. Oshie Mount Vernon, Washington RW 2008–present STL, WSH Biracial Ojibwe-American
CanadaMichael FerlandSwan River, ManitobaLW2014–2020CAR, CAL, VANCree descent[47]
Canada Brandon Montour Ohsweken, Ontario D 2016–present ANA, BUF, FLO Mohawk descent
Canada Henry Maracle Ayr, Ontario LW 1930-31 New York Rangers Mohawk descent [48]
Canada Ethan Bear Regina, Saskatchewan D 2018–present EDM, CAR, VAN Cree descent [49]
Canada Zach Whitecloud Brandon, Manitoba D 2018–present VGK Dakota-Canadian
United States Garrett Pilon Mineola, New York C 2021–present WSH Métis American
Canada Rich Pilon Saskatoon, Saskatchewan D 1989-2002 NYI, NYR, STL Métis descent
Canada Fred Sasakamoose Debden, Saskatchewan C 1954 CHI Cree
Canada Reggie Leach Riverton, Manitoba RW 1971-1983 BOS, CGS, PHI, DET Ojibwe
Canada Jamie Leach Winnipeg, Manitoba RW 1990-1994 PIT, HAR, FLO Ojibwe descent
Canada Stan Jonathan Ohsweken, Ontario LW 1976-1983 BOS, PIT Tuscarora
Canada Jonathan Cheechoo Moose Factory, Ontario RW 2003-2010 SJS, OTT Cree
Canada Dwight King Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan LW 2011-2017 LAK, MTL Métis descent
Canada Connor Dewar The Pas, Manitoba C 2022-Present MIN Métis descent
Canada D.J. King Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan C 2007-2012 STL, WSH Métis descent
Canada Calen Addison Brandon, Manitoba D 2021-Present MIN Métis descent
Canada Travis Hamonic St. Malo, Manitoba D 2011-Present NYI, CGY, VAN, OTT Métis descent
Canada Brady Keeper Cross Lake, Manitoba D 2019-Present FLO Cree
Canada Michael McNiven Winnipeg, Manitoba G 2022 MTL Métis descent
Canada Jim Neilson Big River, Saskatchewan D 1963-1979 NYR, CGS, CLE Cree
Canada Ted Hodgson Hobbema, Alberta RW 1967 BOS Cree
Canada Harry York Ponoka, Alberta C 1997-2000 STL, NYR, PIT, VAN Cree
Canada Scott Daniels Prince Albert, Saskatchewan LW 1993-1999 HFD, PHI, NJD Cree
Canada Dale McCourt Falconbridge, Ontario C 1978-1984 DET, BUF, TOR Cree

Latino descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
United StatesScott GomezAnchorage, AlaskaC1999–2016NJ, NYR, MTLColombian Mexican American[50]
United StatesBill GuerinWorcester, MassachusettsRW1991–2010NJD, EDM, BOS, DAL, STL SJ, NYI, PIT Nicaraguan American[51]
United StatesAuston MatthewsSan Ramon, CaliforniaC2016–presentTORHalf Mexican American[52]
United StatesAl MontoyaChicago, IllinoisG2006–2018NYI, MTL, FLA, WINCuban American[53]
United StatesMatt NietoLong Beach, CaliforniaLW2013–presentCOL, SJMexican American[54]
United StatesMax PaciorettyNew Canaan, ConnecticutLW2008–presentMTL, VGK, CARHalf Mexican American[55]
CanadaBryce SalvadorBrandon, ManitobaD2001–2015STL, NJDHalf Afro-Brazilian Half Ukrainian
CanadaRaffi TorresToronto, OntarioLW2001–2016EDM, SJ, PHOHalf Mexican Canadian Half Peruvian (of Italian, Greek, and Serbian ancestry)[56]

Middle Eastern descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
United StatesJustin AbdelkaderMuskegon, MichiganLW2008–2021DETJordanian-American[57]
CanadaRamzi AbidMontreal, QuébecLW2000–2014PHO, PIT, ATLLebanese-Canadian[58]
Canada/TurkeyNick CicekWinnipeg, ManitobaD2022–presentSJSTurkish-Canadian
CanadaJohn HannaSydney, Nova ScotiaD1958–1968NYR, MTLLebanese-Canadian[59]
CanadaEd HatoumBeirut, LebanonRW1968–1971DET, VANLebanese[60]
CanadaNazem KadriLondon, OntarioC2010–presentTOR, COL, CGYLebanese-Canadian[61]
CanadaAlain NasreddineMontreal, QuébecD1995–2010NYI, MTL, PITBiracial Lebanese-Canadian[62]
United StatesBrandon SaadPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaLW2011–presentCHI, CBJ, COL, STLSyrian American[63]
SwedenMika ZibanejadHuddinge, SwedenC2010–presentOTT, NYRBiracial Iranian-Finnish[64]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Farber, Michael (October 4, 1999). "Soul on Ice: A growing number of Black players are making their mark in a league that until recently has been known for its insensitivity". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
  2. ↑ NBC's Portrayal of U.S. and Canadian Hockey Players on the Olympic Stage: A Textual Analysis of Gender, Race, and Nationality Issues in the Commentary. January 1, 2008. ISBN 978-0-549906230. Retrieved December 8, 2016 – via Google Books.
  3. ↑ Shephard, Roy J. (November 27, 2014). An Illustrated History of Health and Fitness, from Pre-History to our Post-Modern World. Springer. ISBN 978-3-319116716. Retrieved December 8, 2016 – via Google Books.
  4. ↑ Drake, Matt (March 28, 2014). "Being black in the NHL: From breaking the colour barrier to the Norris trophy". SB Nation. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  5. ↑ Ernst, Max (March 1, 1994). "Soul on Ice: Do hockey and Hip-Hop mix?". Vibe. p. 32. Retrieved December 6, 2016 – via Internet Archive.
  6. ↑ Eichler, Jan (2013). Integration of Minorities into the National Hockey League (PDF) (BA). Masaryk University Faculty of Arts : Department of English and American Studies. Retrieved November 28, 2016.
  7. ↑ Sell, Dave (April 1, 1990). "Blacks and Hockey Maintain a Tenuous Relationship". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
  8. 1 2 "NHL Nationality Breakdown". QuantHockey.com. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  9. 1 2 "Thrashers Top NHL With Highest Percentage of Black Players". WSB-TV. January 4, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Taffy Abel".
  11. ↑ Ward, Rachel (March 19, 2018). "NHL trailblazer Larry Kwong dies at 94". CBC News. Retrieved March 19, 2018.
  12. ↑ "CBC targets Chinese hockey fans with Mandarin broadcasts of NHL playoffs". NHL. April 20, 2008.
  13. ↑ Harris, Cecil (2003). Breaking the Ice: The Black Experience in Professional Hockey. Toronto. p. 20. ISBN 1897415052. Retrieved January 15, 2018. {{cite book}}: |website= ignored (help)CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  14. 1 2 Sommerstein, David (February 26, 2015). "All Things Considered: As First Black American NHL Player, Enforcer Was Defenseless Vs. Racism". NPR. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
  15. 1 2 Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career.
  16. ↑ "The Faceoff: Victor Bartley". Kontinental Hockey League. December 17, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  17. ↑ Sachdeva, Sonny (May 31, 2021). "Q&A: Robin Bawa on the journey that made him the first South Asian NHLer". Sportsnet.ca. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  18. ↑ Nevala, Matt (November 29, 2005). "Tiger on the prowl around the Aces' goal". Anchorage Daily News. Retrieved September 12, 2008.
  19. ↑ "NHL Profile: Chris Beckford-Tseu". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  20. ↑ Feschuk, Dave (October 21, 2011). "Feschuk: Toronto teenager 'the elite of the elite'". The Toronto Star. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  21. ↑ Luo, Hubert (December 14, 2018). "Profile: Peter Ing". Asian Americans in Hockey. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  22. ↑ Douglas, William (June 28, 2017). "Paul Kariya's Hall of Fame call sparks pride in Asian community". Colorofhockey.com. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  23. ↑ Ireland, Joanne (December 5, 2015). "Oilers' Jujhar Khaira carries pride of South Asian community". Edmonton Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  24. ↑ Douglas, William (March 21, 2018). "Larry Kwong, the NHL's first player of color, passes away at 94". Colorofhockey.com. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  25. ↑ Chitnis, Deepak (January 31, 2014). "Meet Manny Malhotra – the only desi player in the National Hockey League". The American Bazaar. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  26. ↑ Jarlsbo, Øystein (April 23, 2015). "Martinsen nekter å røpe hvilken NHL-klubb som vil ha ham" [Martinsen Refuses To Say Which NHL Club Wants Him]. Verdens Gang (in Norwegian).
  27. ↑ Wharnsby, Tim (February 7, 2017). "Jim Paek helping Korea's Olympic hockey team 'get better every day". CBC News. Retrieved February 8, 2017.
  28. ↑ Scoggins, Chip (February 19, 2018). "Former Wild player Richard Park instrumental in getting South Korean hockey off the ground". Star Tribune.
  29. ↑ DeFranks, Matthew (August 4, 2019). "Stars prospect Jason Robertson hasn't forgotten his roots while forging his own NHL path". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved February 13, 2020.
  30. ↑ Kawahara, Riku (October 8, 2015). "Former San Jose Sharks Player Devin Setoguchi signs with HC Davos of Switzerland". Nikkei Voice. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  31. ↑ Galati, Luke (July 9, 2014). "Draft Day: Dylan Sikura's Journey to becoming a Chicago Blackhawk". Nikkei Voice. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Bulldog Spotlight: Tim Stapleton". University of Minnesota Duluth Bulldogs. November 8, 2005. Retrieved March 5, 2021.
  33. ↑ Webster, Danny (July 24, 2018). "Suzuki feels more confident with Golden Knights". National Hockey League. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  34. ↑ "Database". Asian Americans in Hockey. March 7, 2021.
  35. ↑ Kennedy, Ryan (August 4, 2016). "The next Johnny Gaudreau? Meet Kailer Yamamoto". The Hockey News. Retrieved February 10, 2021.
  36. ↑ Frei, Terry (September 11, 2009). "Rookie Yip looking to make impression, big club". The Denver Post. Retrieved March 4, 2021.
  37. 1 2 3 "Past Legends". Native Hockey.com. 2016. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  38. ↑ Barnsley, Paul. "Hockey all-time great is proud of his Aboriginal heritage". Wind Speaker. Archived from the original on March 24, 2017.
  39. ↑ "Ted Nolan Biography". IMDb.
  40. ↑ Vescey, George (August 23, 2001). "Sports of The Times; Hockey's Minority Players Moving Past Trailblazer Stage". The New York Times. Retrieved October 18, 2022.
  41. ↑ "Everett Sanipass". New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame. August 5, 2015. Archived from the original on April 16, 2022.
  42. ↑ Hochman, Benjamin (May 24, 2019). "Proud of his First Nations roots, Blues' Berube could make Stanley Cup history". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  43. ↑ Fleury, Theoren & McLellan Day, Kirstie (2009). Playing with Fire. Toronto: HarperCollins. p. 978-1-55468-239-3.
  44. ↑ Beamish, Mike (January 29, 2014). "Ex-Canucks 'Algonquin enforcer' Gino Odjick opens up about post-career, concussion-related struggles". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  45. ↑ Murphy, Kirsten (June 6, 2003). "Number 22 is number one with Nunavummiut". Nunatsiaq News. Archived from the original on November 21, 2006.
  46. ↑ Laskaris, Sam (February 7, 2019). "Former NHLers Tootoo, Bourque to help raise funds for scholarships". Windspeaker.
  47. ↑ Laskaris, Sam (August 6, 2020). "Indigenous players, coach among those seeking 2020 Stanley Cup glory". SaskToday.
  48. ↑ "Sorry Fred, but Henry came first - A few facts regarding aboriginal hockey players".
  49. ↑ Bracken, Amber (March 1, 2018). "First Nations celebrate as Indigenous player Ethan Bear makes NHL debut with Oilers". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved May 3, 2021.
  50. ↑ "The Gomez Story". Scotty Gomez Foundation. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  51. ↑ Gulitti, Tom (September 22, 2020). "Wild GM discusses Nicaraguan background for Hispanic Heritage Month". National Hockey League. Retrieved March 9, 2021.
  52. ↑ Mirtle, James (December 13, 2018). "Maple Leafs' first ever moms trip means something extra special for Auston and Ema Matthews". The Athletic. Archived from the original on December 13, 2018.
  53. ↑ Godin, Joanie (November 9, 2016). "Montoya stays true to his roots". Montreal Canadiens. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  54. ↑ Pollak, David (April 7, 2014). "San Jose Sharks rookie Matt Nieto helps his mom fight cancer". San Jose Mercury News. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  55. ↑ Cowan, Stu (January 25, 2017). "For Canadiens' Max Pacioretty hockey becomes family affair". Montreal Gazette. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  56. ↑ "Raffi Torres: Latino power!". University of British Columbia. Retrieved March 8, 2021.
  57. ↑ "Muskegon's Abdelkader has golden touch". WZZM. June 4, 2009. Archived from the original on June 25, 2014. Retrieved January 23, 2021.
  58. ↑ Andersson, Erin (October 16, 2009). "Nazem Kadri: Canada's new game face". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 7, 2021. ...predecessor was Montreal's Ramzi Abid, a left-winger who played several seasons before heading to Europe in 2007.
  59. ↑ Jala, David (February 12, 2020). "From local leagues to the NHL, Cape Breton's hockey history full of Lebanese heritage". Saltwire.com.
  60. ↑ Baker, Geoff (April 25, 2022). "Groundbreaking ex-Canucks player Ed Hatoum fondly remembers time with Seattle Totems". Seattle Times. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  61. ↑ McGran, Kevin (June 27, 2009). "Maple Leafs get role model". Toronto Star. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  62. ↑ Masisak, Corey (March 23, 2020). "A 'real hustler,' Alain Nasreddine earned his chance with the Devils". The Athletic. Retrieved February 7, 2021.
  63. ↑ "NHL Profile: Akim Aliu". National Hockey League. April 13, 2014. Retrieved March 15, 2016.
  64. ↑ Holm, Stefan (February 25, 2011). "(K)ungen av Globen". Aftonbladet (in Swedish). Retrieved January 24, 2021.
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