Race and ethnicity in the NHL

The National Hockey League (NHL) evolved from a mono-ethnic and primarily Canadian professional athletic league to span North America. The distribution of ethnic groups has been gradually changing since the inception of the NHL. The league consists of a variety of players from varying nationalities and diverse backgrounds. Once known as a league riddled with racism and exclusiveness, the NHL has made some positive steps toward a more diverse and inclusive institution.

The NHL began its expansion of player nationalities in the 1970s, when players hailed from the United States, Sweden, and Finland. The share of Canadians in the league dropped to 75% by the 1980s and is now slightly less than 50%. In 2011, the NHL was composed of 93% of players who identified as white, with the remaining 7% identifying as varying ethnicities.

History

Main article: Black players in ice hockey
See also: List of black NHL players

A number of ice hockey leagues for players of African descent formed in Canada as early as the late-19th century. The Coloured Hockey League was an all-black ice hockey league established in 1895. Operating across the Maritime provinces of Canada, the league operated for several decades until 1930.

Although other minor ice hockey leagues saw integration in the early 20th century (including the Quebec Senior Hockey League), the major league NHL did not see its first non-white player until November 16, 1926 with Indigenous Native American Taffy Abel broke the NHL color barrier that day with the New York Rangers.

On March 13, 1948 Larry Kwong was an Asian playing with the New York Rangers. Born in Vernon, British Columbia, Kwong was a Chinese Canadian of Cantonese descent. In 1953, Fred Sasakamoose was the first Cree NHL player, and the first Canadian indigenous player in the NHL, debuting with the Chicago Black Hawks. On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree became the first Black Canadian to play in the NHL. Playing with the Boston Bruins, he was also the first NHL player of African descent. Val James was the first African American player to play in the NHL. James signed his contract with the Buffalo Sabres in 1982. His stints with the Buffalo Sabres and Toronto Maple Leafs were short lived and he eventually retired in 1987 due to injury. The number of black NHL players was to 26 by the end of the 20th century and sat at 32 in 2016.

Non-black minorities

In addition to black and white players, other races and ethnicities represented in the NHL include players of Asian, Latino, and Middle Eastern descent.

  = NHL All-Star ·   = NHL All-Star and NHL All-Star team ·   = Hall of Famers
  • Bold = Currently playing in NHL
  • Italics = Stanley Cup champions
  • * = Yet to have played an NHL game for their respective team

Asian descent

See also: List of Indian NHL players
Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
Victor Bartley Ottawa, ON D 1998–2015 NSH, MTL Biracial, Taiwanese
Robin Bawa Duncan, BC RW 1987–1999 WSH, VAN, SJS, ANA Punjabi
Chris Beckford-Tseu Toronto, ON G 2007–2008 STL Jamaican-Chinese
Jacob Bryson London, ON D 2021–present BUF Biracial, Korean
Matt Dumba Regina, SK D 2013–present MIN, ARI Romanian-German-Filipino
/ Spencer Foo Edmonton, AB RW 2017–present CGY, VGK* Chinese
Yutaka Fukufuji Kushiro, Japan G 2006–2007 LAK Japanese
Akito Hirose Calgary, AB D 2022–present VAN Japanese
Taro Hirose Winnipeg, MB LW 2018–present DET Japanese
Josh Ho-Sang Toronto, ON RW 2016–2019 NYI Jamaican-Jewish-Chinese
Peter Ing Toronto, ON G 1989–1994 TOR, EDM, DET Biracial, Chinese
Paul Kariya North Vancouver, BC LW 1994–2010 ANA, COL, NSH, STL Japanese-Scottish
Steve Kariya North Vancouver, BC RW 1999–2000 VAN Japanese-Scottish
Jujhar Khaira Surrey, BC LW 2014–present EDM, CHI, MIN Punjabi
Larry Kwong Vernon, BC C 1947–1948 NYR Chinese
Manny Malhotra Mississauga, ON C 1998–2016 NYR, DAL, CBJ, SJS, VAN, CAR, MTL Punjabi-French
Andreas Martinsen Bærum, Norway LW 2015–2019 COL, MTL, CHI Ugandan Indian-Norwegian
Jon Matsumoto Ottawa, ON C 2010–2012 CAR, FLA Japanese-German
Jim Paek Seoul, South Korea D 1987–2003 PIT, LAK, OTT Korean
Richard Park Seoul, South Korea RW 1996–2010 PIT, NYI, MIN, VAN Korean
Jason Robertson Arcadia, CA LW 2019–present DAL Scottish-Filipino
Nicholas Robertson Arcadia, CA LW 2020–present TOR Scottish-Filipino
Bobby Robins Peshtigo, WI RW 2014–2015 BOS Biracial, Filipino
Raymond Sawada Richmond, BC RW 2008–2011 DAL Japanese-Italian
Devin Setoguchi Taber, AB RW 2007–2018 SJS, MIN, WPG, CGY, LAK Biracial, Japanese
Kiefer Sherwood Columbus, OH RW 2018–present ANA, COL, NSH Biracial, Japanese
Kole Sherwood New Albany, OH RW 2018–present CBJ, NSH Biracial, Japanese
Devin Shore Ajax, ON C 2015–present DAL, ANA, CBJ, EDM, SEA Biracial, Filipino
Jonas Siegenthaler Zürich, Switzerland D 2018–present WSH, NJD Swiss-Thai
Dylan Sikura Aurora, ON C 2018–present CHI, VGK, COL, ANA* Slovak-Japanese
Jordan Spence Sydney, Australia D 2021–present LAK Biracial, Japanese
Tim Stapleton La Grange, IL C 2008–2012 TOR, ATL, WIN Irish-Filipino
Jamie Storr Brampton, ON G 1994–2004 LAK, CAR Biracial, Japanese
Nick Suzuki London, ON C 2019–present MTL Japanese-Scottish
David Tanabe White Bear Lake, MN D 1999–2008 BOS, CAR Japanese
Mike Wong Minneapolis, MN C 1975–1976 DET Chinese-Native
Kailer Yamamoto Spokane, WA RW 2017–present EDM, SEA Biracial, his father is half-Japanese and his mother is half-Hawaiian
/ Brandon Yip Vancouver, BC RW 2009–2014 COL, NSH, PHX Biracial, Three quarter-Chinese and one quarter-Irish

NHL career

These are the top-ten players of Asian descent by career points, goals, and assists. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; G/G = Goals per game; A/G = Assists per game

Franchise career

These are the top-ten players of Asian descent, by career points, goals, and assists, when counting only their production with a specific franchise. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season.

Note: Pos = Position; GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points; P/G = Points per game; G/G = Goals per game; A/G = Assists per game

First Nation/Native American descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
George Armstrong Skead, Ontario RW 1949–1971 TOR Biracial Ojibwe-Canadian
Bryan Trottier Val Marie, Saskatchewan C 1975–1994 NYI, PIT Biracial Cree-Canadian
Ted Nolan Garden River, Ontario LW 1981–1986 DET, PIT Ojibwe-Canadian
Grant Fuhr Spruce Grove, Alberta G 1981–2000 EDM, TOR, BUF, LAK, STL, CGY Biracial Cree and Afro-Canadian
Everett Sanipass Elsipogtog First Nation, New Brunswick LW 1986–1991 CHI, QUE Mi'kmaq
Craig Berube Calahoo, Alberta LW 1986–2003 PHI, TOR, CGY, WSH, NYI Biracial Cree-Canadian
Theoren Fleury Oxbow, Saskatchewan RW 1988–2003 CAL, NYR Métis Canadian
Gino Odjick Maniwaki, Québec LW 1990–2002 MTL, NYI, VAN, PHI Biracial Algonquian-Canadian
Blair Atcheynum Estevan, Saskatchewan RW 1992–2001 OTT, NSH, STL, CHI Cree descent
Arron Asham Portage la Prairie, Manitoba RW 1998–2014 MTL, NYI, NJD, PHI, PIT, NYR Métis Canadian
Jordin Tootoo Churchill, Manitoba RW 2003–2017 NSH, NJD, DET, CHI Inuit
René Bourque Lac La Biche, Alberta LW 2005–2017 MTL, CAL, CLB, CHI Métis Canadian
Carey Price Vancouver, British Columbia G 2007–present MTL Biracial Dakelh-Canadian
T. J. Oshie Mount Vernon, Washington RW 2008–present STL, WSH Biracial Ojibwe-American
Michael Ferland Swan River, Manitoba LW 2014–2020 CAR, CAL, VAN Cree descent
Brandon Montour Ohsweken, Ontario D 2016–present ANA, BUF, FLO Mohawk descent
Henry Maracle Ayr, Ontario LW 1930-31 New York Rangers Mohawk descent
Ethan Bear Regina, Saskatchewan D 2018–present EDM, CAR, VAN Cree descent
Zach Whitecloud Brandon, Manitoba D 2018–present VGK Dakota-Canadian
Garrett Pilon Mineola, New York C 2021–present WSH Métis American
Rich Pilon Saskatoon, Saskatchewan D 1989-2002 NYI, NYR, STL Métis descent
Fred Sasakamoose Debden, Saskatchewan C 1954 CHI Cree
Reggie Leach Riverton, Manitoba RW 1971-1983 BOS, CGS, PHI, DET Ojibwe
Jamie Leach Winnipeg, Manitoba RW 1990-1994 PIT, HAR, FLO Ojibwe descent
Stan Jonathan Ohsweken, Ontario LW 1976-1983 BOS, PIT Tuscarora
Jonathan Cheechoo Moose Factory, Ontario RW 2003-2010 SJS, OTT Cree
Dwight King Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan LW 2011-2017 LAK, MTL Métis descent
Connor Dewar The Pas, Manitoba C 2022-Present MIN Métis descent
D.J. King Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan C 2007-2012 STL, WSH Métis descent
Calen Addison Brandon, Manitoba D 2021-Present MIN Métis descent
Travis Hamonic St. Malo, Manitoba D 2011-Present NYI, CGY, VAN, OTT Métis descent
Brady Keeper Cross Lake, Manitoba D 2019-Present FLO Cree
Michael McNiven Winnipeg, Manitoba G 2022 MTL Métis descent
Jim Neilson Big River, Saskatchewan D 1963-1979 NYR, CGS, CLE Cree
Ted Hodgson Hobbema, Alberta RW 1967 BOS Cree
Harry York Ponoka, Alberta C 1997-2000 STL, NYR, PIT, VAN Cree
Scott Daniels Prince Albert, Saskatchewan LW 1993-1999 HFD, PHI, NJD Cree
Dale McCourt Falconbridge, Ontario C 1978-1984 DET, BUF, TOR Cree

Latino descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
Scott Gomez Anchorage, Alaska C 1999–2016 NJ, NYR, MTL Colombian Mexican American
Bill Guerin Worcester, Massachusetts RW 1991–2010 NJD, EDM, BOS, DAL, STL SJ, NYI, PIT Nicaraguan American
Auston Matthews San Ramon, California C 2016–present TOR Half Mexican American
Al Montoya Chicago, Illinois G 2006–2018 NYI, MTL, FLA, WIN Cuban American
Matt Nieto Long Beach, California LW 2013–present COL, SJ Mexican American
Max Pacioretty New Canaan, Connecticut LW 2008–present MTL, VGK, CAR Half Mexican American
Bryce Salvador Brandon, Manitoba D 2001–2015 STL, NJD Half Afro-Brazilian Half Ukrainian
Raffi Torres Toronto, Ontario LW 2001–2016 EDM, SJ, PHO Half Mexican Canadian Half Peruvian (of Italian, Greek, and Serbian ancestry)

Middle Eastern descent

Nat. Name Birthplace Pos Seasons Teams Played Ethnicity Ref
Justin Abdelkader Muskegon, Michigan LW 2008–2021 DET Jordanian-American
Ramzi Abid Montreal, Québec LW 2000–2014 PHO, PIT, ATL Lebanese-Canadian
/ Nick Cicek Winnipeg, Manitoba D 2022–present SJS Turkish-Canadian
John Hanna Sydney, Nova Scotia D 1958–1968 NYR, MTL Lebanese-Canadian
Ed Hatoum Beirut, Lebanon RW 1968–1971 DET, VAN Lebanese
Nazem Kadri London, Ontario C 2010–present TOR, COL, CGY Lebanese-Canadian
Alain Nasreddine Montreal, Québec D 1995–2010 NYI, MTL, PIT Biracial Lebanese-Canadian
Brandon Saad Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania LW 2011–present CHI, CBJ, COL, STL Syrian American
Mika Zibanejad Huddinge, Sweden C 2010–present OTT, NYR Biracial Iranian-Finnish

See also