O'Ree finalist spotlight: Karen Ota O'Brien
Founder of Florida Women's Hockey League making positive impact on community
by Jon Lane @JonLaneNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
Voting for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award is underway. The award is given to an individual who, through hockey, has positively impacted his or her community culture or society. The award honors Willie 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 United States finalist Karen Ota-O'Brien.
O'Ree finalist spotlight: Derek Klein
Big River First Nation CEO headed up multisport facility project for Sasketchewan reservation
by Dave Stubbs @Dave_Stubbs / NHL.com Columnist
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, Derek Klein.
O'Ree finalist spotlight: Saroya Tinker
Toronto Six defenseman co-founder of Black Girl Hockey Club Canada
by William Douglas @WDouglasNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
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, Saroya Tinker.
O'Ree finalist spotlight: Marty Richardson
His Dawg Nation Hockey Foundation has raised more than $4 million for families in need since 2012
by Tracey Myers @TraMyers_NHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
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 U.S. finalists, Marty Richardson.
O'Ree finalist spotlight: Dean Smith
Hockey Nova Scotia board member is driving force behind Black Ice Youth Hockey program
by William Douglas @WDouglasNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
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.
O'Ree finalist spotlight: Jason McCrimmon
Founder of Detroit Ice Dreams helps youth from underrepresented communities play hockey
by William Douglas @WDouglasNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
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 United States finalist Jason McCrimmon.
Rangers Learn to Play kids graduate, skate at Rink at Manhattan West
Commemorates conclusion of 10-week program that's grown since inception
by David Satriano @davidsatriano / NHL.com Staff Writer
When the NHL and NHL Players' Association introduced the League-wide Learn to Play initiative in 2015 with the goal of inspiring more families to join the hockey community, it's moments like this that they had in mind.
Congressional Hockey Challenge raises funds, is 'a good time'
Annual game supports Fort Dupont Cannons, Beltway, Tampa Warriors, PWHPA
by William Douglas @WDouglasNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
ARLINGTON, Va. -- U.S. House Majority Whip Tom Emmer wondered if the wind and the legs would still be there.
Stadium Series an 'unforgettable' experience for NHL Power Player
North Carolina resident Emma Bracken chronicles her time in Raleigh as member of youth advisory board
by Emma Bracken / Special to NHL.com
Editor's note: NHL Power Players is an initiative that selects young hockey fans to help advise the League on hockey-related topics important to their generation and to grow the game among young fans and people. Today, Emma Bracken, a 16-year-old from Cary, North Carolina and a member of the 2022-23 Power Players class, writes about her experience covering the 2023 Navy Federal Credit Union NHL Stadium Series in Raleigh, North Carolina.
NHL, Panthers, Penguins spread message of diversity, inclusion in hockey
'Saluting Trailblazers' panel discussion commemorates start of Black History Month
by William Douglas @WDouglasNHL / NHL.com Staff Writer
MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. -- Emmanuel Umoffia said he was surprised to see the number of Black people who work at the NHL and its clubs in key positions.