The path to get to where you want to be isn’t always easy, Minnesota Wild winger J.T. Brown can tell you. When he heard taunts and racist slurs slung his way as a child, his team and coach stood behind him. When he raised his fist during the U.S. national anthem to protest injustice, the … Continue reading Our Stars of the Game: J.T. Brown
Our Stars of the Game: Sarah Nurse
"I want them to have better than I had" Growing up, Sarah Nurse’s hockey dreams didn’t include playing for a professional league. She dreamed of lacing up her skates for Canada at the Olympics. She didn’t even know professional hockey was an option for women until she was already in college. And now that the … Continue reading Our Stars of the Game: Sarah Nurse
Redlining, Race, and Expansion Hockey
The season is over for 8 teams, many of which had shocking results (Go Blue Jackets!). This means that for many, the best option is look towards the future. One very exciting prospect occurring in the near future is the addition of an expansion team in Seattle in 2021. Not only will a new city … Continue reading Redlining, Race, and Expansion Hockey
Our Stars of the Game: Matt Dumba
“The game I love… it’s for everybody" The Minnesota Wild’s Matt Dumba is used to standing out in the game that he loves. The 24-year-old defenseman, known for his physical and fearless style of play, was having what was shaping up to be the best season of his NHL career until injury sent him from … Continue reading Our Stars of the Game: Matt Dumba
The Power of Language
I remember when I first heard Devante Smith-Pelly was at the receiving end of racist taunts at a Chicago Blackhawks game in 2018. I assumed the worst case scenario initially, so when I discovered that the fans were chanting “basketball” at him, I was almost relieved. Obviously, the actions of the Chicago fans were racist … Continue reading The Power of Language
Politics, Sports, and Using the Platform For Change
In 2013, the National Hockey League partnered with The 'You Can Play' Project, founded in 2012 by Patrick Burke, son of Brian Burke, former NHL executive and current hockey analyst. Since then, YCP nights have become an annual occurrence across the League, mandatory, with varied participation from each club. Most team celebrations consist of … Continue reading Politics, Sports, and Using the Platform For Change
Black History Month, BGHC and You
BGHC Rollin' Deep Somehow, with a unique combination of love of hockey and Black culture, the Black Girl Hockey Club has the chance to become something greater than just me and my hockey social media rants. Over the last year, Black girl hockey players, fans and moms have come together to show the National Hockey … Continue reading Black History Month, BGHC and You
Why We Need the Black Girl Hockey Club
**originally posted on PuckerUp Sports** February 1, 2019 When I think of what the Black Girl Hockey Club has morphed into in the last year, I’m pleasantly surprise by a couple of things. First of all, the reception by the National Hockey League. Last September, when I sat down in a Starbucks off a Los … Continue reading Why We Need the Black Girl Hockey Club
BGHC Celebrates Black History Month in New York and Nashville
Black Hockey History in Harlem February is Black History month, and this year, the NHL is celebrating the achievements of Black hockey players with the American Legacy Black Hockey History Tour Bus, as well as highlighting Black hockey on their website. The National Hockey League invited Black Girl Hockey Club to the unveiling of this mobile … Continue reading BGHC Celebrates Black History Month in New York and Nashville
Hockey Twitter Rallies Around 12yo Player, Kalei Forga, Raises Funds For International Tournament
A Little Help From Our Friends Just before Christmas, I recieved an email via this blog from Michelle Forga asking for help signal boosting her 12 year old daughter, Kalei's, GoFundMe page. Kalei plays hockey in Minnesota and has a chance to play in an international tournament this year, as long as she can raise enough … Continue reading Hockey Twitter Rallies Around 12yo Player, Kalei Forga, Raises Funds For International Tournament