Diversity in hockey is a topic that’s been brought up lots the past few years, and for good reason.
We spoke to former Niagara IceDogs Captain Akil Thomas, who says growing up as a person of colour in the sport he can see why a lot of black kids choose not to play hockey.
Thomas emphasizes that representation in the sport is important, as it will encourage other black children to take up the sport. He says having role models to look up to in today’s game could result in more black kids playing hockey.
On a national level, Thomas is likely most well-known for scoring the game winning ‘Golden Goal’ for Canada at the World Junior Hockey Championships in 2020 against Russia, to break a tie with just under four minutes remaining in the game.
He says growing up, he’s had hundreds of supportive teammates along the way from minor hockey to the professional level, and stresses that he’s always felt very comfortable in the dressing room.
In the aftermath of the George Floyd incident in 2020, the hockey community came together to show unity as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. Thomas says as a black hockey player, this is something that inspired him. He feels it sent a positive message to the rest of the world.
Today, Akil plays for the Ontario Reign of the AHL – an affiliate of the NHL’s LA Kings. In his time since leaving the Niagara IceDogs in 2020, he has also collaborated with the Kings as well as the IceDogs to design custom Black History Month jerseys to be worn and auctioned off in support of numerous causes. You can learn more about Thomas’ clothing company, ZALE Apparel, here.
(Written by: Matt Latour)
