Diversity in our game

May 5, 2016

Joshua Dawson

The Changing Face of Hockey – Diversity in Our Game, the newest exhibit at the Hockey Hall of Fame, was unveiled on March 11.

The exhibit brings to light the challenges faced by marginalized people across North America in their struggle for social equality and acceptance in the great game of hockey. It pays homage to the pioneers who confronted discrimination from the hockey world through their perseverance, talent, courage and success.

These individuals and their stories have enriched the cultural landscape of hockey and have established a tangible forum in which to fight prejudices still faced by many, both in hockey and in life. The exhibit also makes mention of current initiatives underway to address ongoing prejudice.

Ethnicity in hockey
Focuses on the plight of black and Aboriginal minorities as well as newer immigrant cultures. Most were barred from hockey’s top leagues and endured racial slurs, taunts and discrimination.

James has an arena in her name in North York at the site where she first learned to skate. Artifacts from her illustrious career are displayed in the new exhibit. (Dave Sandford/Hockey Hall of Fame)

Marginalized people in top level pro hockey
Looks at pioneers who blazed the trail for hockey players of different ethnicity, gender or sexual orientation such as Larry Kwong, Fred Sasakamoose, Willie O’Ree, and Angela James.

Women in hockey
Pays tribute to players, like Abby Hoffman, and teams, like the Preston Rivulettes, who helped popularize the women’s game. Also featured are the first IIHF-sanctioned Women’s World Championship and the four female members of the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Disabled hockey
Delves into the variations of hockey played by those with physical disabilities, including hearing impaired hockey associations and electric wheelchair hockey. Also highlighted are amputee hockey and sledge hockey, which became a Paralympic event in 1994.

TRAILBLAZERS
Artifacts on display include items from these hockey pioneers:

Angela James
First superstar of modern women’s hockey.

Mike Marson
First black player to skate regularly in the NHL, from 1974-80 with the Capitals and Kings.

Marson’s first skates from his early years in Scarborough and his Wexford Woolco Midget team jacket from the 1970-71 MTHL season are on display.

Wille O’Ree
First black player to play in the NHL.

Billy Bridges
Sledge hockey superstar and Paralympic gold medalist.

Geraldine Heaney
Female hockey pioneer and winner of seven IIHF World Women’s Championships.

Hayley Wickenheiser
Women’s hockey legend and four-time Olympic gold medalist.

Carey Price
Of Ulkatcho First Nation descent and winner of the 2015 Vezina and Hart Trophies.

Grant Fuhr
Five-time Stanley Cup champion and member of the HHOF.

HISTORIC HOIST: Jersey worn by Paek, a GTHL grad, when he assisted on the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1992 to become the first player of South Korean descent to lift the Cup. — Jersey worn by Paek, a GTHL grad, when he assisted on the Stanley Cup-winning goal in 1992 to become the first player of South Korean descent to lift the Cup.

P.K. Subban
Son of Caribbean immigrants and winner of the 2013 Norris Trophy.

Jim Paek
First south Korean-born player to win the Stanley Cup.