Game Change
leveling the ice for all players
Over the years, my passion for hockey evolved into a commitment to introduce new and diverse audiences by improving the cultural availability of the sport. Historically, majority-white, the game’s essence is about teamwork, discipline and learning how to lose as much as celebrating winning; all critical life lessons. And, hockey is notoriously expensive to play and requires a high-level of dedication from not just the player, but their families. I have been involved at the national, local and neighborhood levels with many amazing initiatives on the horizon.
Improving access to the game of hockey.
The data shows us that the hockey fan base is 71% white. For one of the coolest and most exciting sports on the planet, this is not acceptable. The game teaches us so much about life, discipline and teamwork that our youth can only benefit from learning and cheering for the game. Living in Chicago, this disparity is clear and we’ve worked hard to break down the barriers and introduce more girls and boys to the sport. There is much work to do.
In 2020, the NHL formed a series of councils to eradicate any form of racism and exclusionary behavior at any level of the game. It is imperative that the game be more accessible and culturally available to under-represented populations not just to grow the game, but because it is the right thing to do. I was asked to be a member of the Fan Inclusion Council, which is focused on ensuring that more people from all ethnicities and backgrounds feel welcome in the game, when visiting arenas or playing at their local rink.
An official Chicago Blackhawks Charity The Inner-City Education Program (ICE) was founded 12-years ago in Chicago with the mission of helping under-resourced children obtain educational opportunities through the game of hockey. Since then, we’ve raised over $1,000,000 and helped scores of kids attend private institutions, learn the game of hockey and be mentored by big sisters and big brothers.
Launching in 2021, TEAM Hockey will be a hockey and life skills school for BIPOC players and their allies at all age levels. Co-founding TEAM with former NHL player and current NBC Sports Analyst Anson Carter and CAA Executive Jennifer Entin, the mission of TEAM Hockey is to LEVEL THE ICE for BIPOC players of all ages. The program will be a supplement to many NHL teams diversity programs and also a stand-alone mobile academy.
Co-founder Anson Carter launching TEAM Hockey on air during an NHL on NBC Broadcast.
