NHL, NHLPA Introduces Inclusion Coalition

The NHL and NHLPA on Tuesday launched a new inclusion committee made up of current and former men’s and women’s players, with representation from minorities and LGBTQ2S+, aimed at diversifying hockey and welcoming the sport.

The NHL Player Inclusion Coalition is the latest step in a process that began in the summer of 2020, when the police killing of George Floyd sparked a global reckoning on race and racism. It comes on the heels of the league’s Pride night incidents, when a handful of players refused to wear rainbow-colored jerseys for warmups, leading the league to decide not to allow teams to wear themed uniforms next season.

“It’s no secret that this is a sport that sometimes struggles with diversity and inclusion,” said retired American women’s star Meghan Duggan, who is part of the coalition, at an event in Nashville, Tennessee. “That’s why this group is here: to keep pushing, to keep making recommendations, to keep players coming forward and to remain public allies.”

Duggan, who is openly gay, is one of 20 members of the coalition chaired by former NHL players PK Subban and Anson Carter, each of whom is black. Duggan, now the New Jersey Devils’ director of player development, wants to be at the forefront of helping a sport that has traditionally been slow to respond to social change.

“Ignorance is just not an excuse anymore,” Duggan said. “We have so many resources at our fingertips to understand, ‘What is the terminology for the queer community? What is the abbreviation? What are different, politically correct ways of addressing certain groups?’ The education is there for people to understand, not necessarily exactly how to relate to someone from a marginalized community, but just how to be an ally.

The coalition starts with $1 million to use for contributions to grassroots programs, education and other special projects. Duggan called the group, which also includes current national women’s players Sarah Nurse (Canada) and Abby Roque (USA), “action-oriented” and not just one that holds meetings to complain.

That action means not only donating money to underserved communities, but also going out to them and showing why hockey is for them. It’s a job that can take a generation to perform, so kids and families are the focus.

“We need to make it a safe and nurturing environment so the parents understand it’s a safe place to put their kids,” said former player Jamal Mayers, who is part of the group. “If they don’t think it’s a safe, nurturing place, you’re certainly not allowing your child to go down that path, so it’s important and the duty of the league as leaders of the sport to make sure they do. creating an environment that is safe and nurturing so that parents feel like, “Okay, there’s a chance.”

Some of the work is also done on a professional level.

Duggan said an important first step three years ago was to educate executives about the need for minority and women representation in front offices, and since then meetings have focused on racial incidents during the minors and Pride nights. In particular, Duggan said she and fellow coalition member Mark Fraser talked to Toronto Maple Leafs players about Pride issues.

“It’s really trying to provide players with resources to participate in the community and speak out and have a voice,” Duggan said. “I’m happy with some of the progress we’ve seen. I think we all know there is still a long way to go, but steps are being taken.”

Commissioner Gary Bettman said the goal was to “give the NHL insights about equality and inclusiveness that only the players can give us.” NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh expects the coalition to continue to do “amazing things for young people” across North America.

“Hockey players deserve a world without a doubt to know that hockey is for them,” said Carter.