Race and ethnicity in the NHL

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][needs update]

History edit

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 colour 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 edit

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 edit

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
  Arshdeep Bains Surrey, BC LW 2023–present VAN Punjabi
  Victor Bartley Ottawa, ON D 1998–2015 NSH, MTL Biracial, Taiwanese [16]
  Robin Bawa Duncan, BC RW 1987–1999 WSH, VAN, SJS, ANA Punjabi [17]
  Chris Beckford-Tseu Toronto, ON G 2007–2008 STL Jamaican-Chinese[18] [19]
  Jacob Bryson London, ON D 2021–present BUF Biracial, Korean
  Matt Dumba Regina, SK D 2013–present MIN, ARI, TBL Romanian-German-Filipino [citation needed]
 /  Spencer Foo Edmonton, AB RW 2017–present CGY, VGK* Chinese
  Yutaka Fukufuji Kushiro, Japan G 2006–2007 LAK Japanese
  Akito Hirose Calgary, AB D 2022–present VAN Japanese
  Taro Hirose Winnipeg, MB LW 2018–present DET Japanese
  Josh Ho-Sang Toronto, ON RW 2016–2019 NYI Jamaican-Jewish-Chinese [20]
  Peter Ing Toronto, ON G 1989–1994 TOR, EDM, DET Biracial, Chinese [21]
  Paul Kariya North Vancouver, BC LW 1994–2010 ANA, COL, NSH, STL Japanese-Scottish [22]
  Steve Kariya North Vancouver, BC RW 1999–2000 VAN Japanese-Scottish
  Jujhar Khaira Surrey, BC LW 2014–present EDM, CHI, MIN Punjabi [23]
  Larry Kwong Vernon, BC C 1947–1948 NYR Chinese [24]
  Manny Malhotra Mississauga, ON C 1998–2016 NYR, DAL, CBJ, SJS, VAN, CAR, MTL Punjabi-French [25]
  Andreas Martinsen Bærum, Norway LW 2015–2019 COL, MTL, CHI Ugandan Indian-Norwegian [26]
  Jon Matsumoto Ottawa, ON C 2010–2012 CAR, FLA Japanese-German
  Jim Paek Seoul, South Korea D 1987–2003 PIT, LAK, OTT Korean [27]
  Richard Park Seoul, South Korea RW 1996–2010 PIT, NYI, MIN, VAN Korean [28]
  Jason Robertson Arcadia, CA LW 2019–present DAL Scottish-Filipino [29]
  Nicholas Robertson Arcadia, CA LW 2020–present TOR Scottish-Filipino
  Bobby Robins Peshtigo, WI RW 2014–2015 BOS Biracial, Filipino
  Raymond Sawada Richmond, BC RW 2008–2011 DAL Japanese-Italian
  Devin Setoguchi Taber, AB RW 2007–2018 SJS, MIN, WPG, CGY, LAK Biracial, Japanese [30][better source needed]
  Kiefer Sherwood Columbus, OH RW 2018–present ANA, COL, NSH Biracial, Japanese
  Kole Sherwood New Albany, OH RW 2018–present CBJ, NSH Biracial, Japanese
  Devin Shore Ajax, ON C 2015–present DAL, ANA, CBJ, EDM, SEA Biracial, Filipino
  Jonas Siegenthaler Zürich, Switzerland D 2018–present WSH, NJD Swiss-Thai
  Dylan Sikura Aurora, ON C 2018–present CHI, VGK, COL, ANA* Slovak-Japanese [31]
  Jordan Spence Sydney, Australia D 2021–present LAK Biracial, Japanese
  Tim Stapleton La Grange, IL C 2008–2012 TOR, ATL, WIN Irish-Filipino [32]
  Jamie Storr Brampton, ON G 1994–2004 LAK, CAR Biracial, Japanese
  Nick Suzuki London, ON C 2019–present MTL Japanese-Scottish [33]
  David Tanabe White Bear Lake, MN D 1999–2008 BOS, CAR Japanese [34]
  Mike Wong Minneapolis, MN C 1975–1976 DET Chinese-Native [citation needed]
  Kailer Yamamoto Spokane, WA RW 2017–present EDM, SEA Biracial, his father is half-Japanese and his mother is half-Hawaiian [35]
 /  Brandon Yip Vancouver, BC RW 2009–2014 COL, NSH, PHX Biracial, Three quarter-Chinese and one quarter-Irish [36]

NHL career edit

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 edit

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 edit

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
  George Armstrong Skead, Ontario RW 1949–1971 TOR Biracial Ojibwe-Canadian [37]
  Bryan Trottier Val Marie, Saskatchewan C 1975–1994 NYI, PIT Biracial Cree-Canadian [38]
  Ted Nolan Garden River, Ontario LW 1981–1986 DET, PIT Ojibwe-Canadian [39]
  Grant Fuhr Spruce Grove, Alberta G 1981–2000 EDM, TOR, BUF, LAK, STL, CGY Biracial Cree and Afro-Canadian [40]
  Everett Sanipass Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick LW 1986–1991 CHI, QUE Mi'kmaq [41]
  Craig Berube Calahoo, Alberta LW 1986–2003 PHI, TOR, CGY, WSH, NYI Biracial Cree-Canadian [42]
  Theoren Fleury Oxbow, Saskatchewan RW 1988–2003 CAL, NYR Métis Canadian [43]
  Gino Odjick Maniwaki, Québec LW 1990–2002 MTL, NYI, VAN, PHI Biracial Algonquian-Canadian [44]
  Blair Atcheynum Estevan, Saskatchewan RW 1992–2001 OTT, NSH, STL, CHI Cree descent [37]
  Arron Asham Portage la Prairie, Manitoba RW 1998–2014 MTL, NYI, NJD, PHI, PIT, NYR Métis Canadian [37]
  Jordin Tootoo Churchill, Manitoba RW 2003–2017 NSH, NJD, DET, CHI Inuit [45]
  René Bourque Lac La Biche, Alberta LW 2005–2017 MTL, CAL, CLB, CHI Métis Canadian [46]
  Carey Price Vancouver, British Columbia G 2007–present MTL Biracial Dakelh-Canadian [citation needed]
  T. J. Oshie Mount Vernon, Washington RW 2008–present STL, WSH Biracial Ojibwe-American [citation needed]
  Michael Ferland Swan River, Manitoba LW 2014–2020 CAR, CAL, VAN Cree descent [47]
  Brandon Montour Ohsweken, Ontario D 2016–present ANA, BUF, FLO Mohawk descent [citation needed]
  Henry Maracle Ayr, Ontario LW 1930-31 New York Rangers Mohawk descent [48]
  Ethan Bear Regina, Saskatchewan D 2018–present EDM, CAR, VAN Cree descent [49]
  Zach Whitecloud Brandon, Manitoba D 2018–present VGK Dakota-Canadian [citation needed]
  Garrett Pilon Mineola, New York C 2021–present WSH Métis American [citation needed]
  Rich Pilon Saskatoon, Saskatchewan D 1989-2002 NYI, NYR, STL Métis descent [citation needed]
  Fred Sasakamoose Debden, Saskatchewan C 1954 CHI Cree [citation needed]
  Reggie Leach Riverton, Manitoba RW 1971-1983 BOS, CGS, PHI, DET Ojibwe [citation needed]
  Jamie Leach Winnipeg, Manitoba RW 1990-1994 PIT, HAR, FLO Ojibwe descent [citation needed]
  Stan Jonathan Ohsweken, Ontario LW 1976-1983 BOS, PIT Tuscarora [citation needed]
  Jonathan Cheechoo Moose Factory, Ontario RW 2003-2010 SJS, OTT Cree [citation needed]
  Dwight King Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan LW 2011-2017 LAK, MTL Métis descent [citation needed]
  Connor Dewar The Pas, Manitoba C 2022-Present MIN, TOR Métis descent [citation needed]
  D.J. King Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan C 2007-2012 STL, WSH Métis descent [citation needed]
  Calen Addison Brandon, Manitoba D 2021-Present MIN Métis descent [citation needed]
  Travis Hamonic St. Malo, Manitoba D 2011-Present NYI, CGY, VAN, OTT Métis descent [citation needed]
  Brady Keeper Cross Lake, Manitoba D 2019-Present FLO Cree [citation needed]
  Michael McNiven Winnipeg, Manitoba G 2022 MTL Métis descent [citation needed]
  Jim Neilson Big River, Saskatchewan D 1963-1979 NYR, CGS, CLE Cree [citation needed]
  Ted Hodgson Hobbema, Alberta RW 1967 BOS Cree [citation needed]
  Harry York Ponoka, Alberta C 1997-2000 STL, NYR, PIT, VAN Cree [citation needed]
  Scott Daniels Prince Albert, Saskatchewan LW 1993-1999 HFD, PHI, NJD Cree [citation needed]
  Dale McCourt Falconbridge, Ontario C 1978-1984 DET, BUF, TOR Cree [citation needed]

Latino descent edit

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
  Scott Gomez Anchorage, Alaska C 1999–2016 NJ, NYR, MTL Colombian Mexican American [50]
  Bill Guerin Worcester, Massachusetts RW 1991–2010 NJD, EDM, BOS, DAL, STL SJ, NYI, PIT Nicaraguan American [51]
  Auston Matthews San Ramon, California C 2016–present TOR Half Mexican American [52]
  Al Montoya Chicago, Illinois G 2006–2018 NYI, MTL, FLA, WIN Cuban American [53]
  Matt Nieto Long Beach, California LW 2013–present COL, SJ Mexican American [54]
  Max Pacioretty New Canaan, Connecticut LW 2008–present MTL, VGK, CAR Half Mexican American [55]
  Bryce Salvador Brandon, Manitoba D 2001–2015 STL, NJD Half Afro-Brazilian Half Ukrainian
  Raffi Torres Toronto, Ontario LW 2001–2016 EDM, SJ, PHO Half Mexican Canadian Half Peruvian (of Italian, Greek, and Serbian ancestry) [56]

Middle Eastern descent edit

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
  Justin Abdelkader Muskegon, Michigan LW 2008–2021 DET Jordanian-American [57]
  Ramzi Abid Montreal, Québec LW 2000–2014 PHO, PIT, ATL Lebanese-Canadian [58]
 /  Nick Cicek Winnipeg, Manitoba D 2022–present SJS Turkish-Canadian
  John Hanna Sydney, Nova Scotia D 1958–1968 NYR, MTL Lebanese-Canadian [59]
  Ed Hatoum Beirut, Lebanon RW 1968–1971 DET, VAN Lebanese [60]
  Nazem Kadri London, Ontario C 2010–present TOR, COL, CGY Lebanese-Canadian [61]
  Alain Nasreddine Montreal, Québec D 1995–2010 NYI, MTL, PIT Biracial Lebanese-Canadian [62]
  Brandon Saad Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania LW 2011–present CHI, CBJ, COL, STL Syrian American [63]
  Mika Zibanejad Huddinge, Sweden C 2010–present OTT, NYR Biracial Iranian-Finnish [64]

See also edit

References edit

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