Hockey has often been seen as pretty much a middle-class, white people sport, but the times, they are a-changing. While the majority of players are Canadian, European and (sometimes even) American anglos, there are a number of Black hockey players scattered across the NHL, if you know or care to look. In honor of Black History Month, I’ve put together a list of my top 5 favorite black hockey players of all nationalities for purely altruistic reasons, of course.
xoxo C. Diva
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P.k. Subban
Born: May 13, 1989 (age 26), Toronto, Canada
Current teams: Montreal Canadiens (#76 / Defenseman), Canadian National Men’s Hockey Team (#76 / Defenseman)
Pernell Karl “P. K.” Subban is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman and an alternate captain for the Montreal Canadiens of the National Hockey League. P.K. is adorable and one of my favorite players, not just because he’s great at hockey, but because he’s a strong, black man who is passionate about service and the hockey community. Oh, and also, he’s an Olympic GOLD medal winner, so there’s that.
*editor’s note 7/7/17: Any post about PK on my blog is going to note that the Canadiens traded this amazing hockey player and philanthropist from their team to the Nashville Predators the day before PK’s no trade clause kicked in, stating personality differences with the other players in the locker room. One of the stupidest things this team ever did and a decision that reflects badly on the management IMHO.
Trevor Daley
Born: October 9, 1983 (age 32), Toronto, Canada
Nationality: Canadian
Current team: Pittsburgh Penguins (#6 / Defenseman)
Trevor Daley is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman for the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League. This player was on the Stars but now is a Penguin, and I don’t fault him for either. He’s one of the veteran black players in the NHL and someone the young guns can look up to. That being said, he’s definitely still got it.
Johnny Oduya
Born: October 1, 1981 (age 34), Stockholm, Sweden
Current teams: Dallas Stars (#47 / Defenseman), Swedish National Men’s Ice Hockey Team (#27 / Defenseman)
David Johnny Oduya, usually referred to as Johnny Oduya, is a Swedish professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently playing for the Dallas Stars of the National Hockey League. He is of Kenyan Luo descent on his father’s side. I have such a huge crush on this bearded wonder. D-man on my favorite NHL team, Johnny is a Stanley Cup champion, placed on the Stars to bring a much needed knowledge of playoffs and the veteran experience.
Dustin Byfuglien
Born: March 27, 1985 (age 30), Minneapolis, MN
Current team: Winnipeg Jets (#33 / Defenseman)
Dustin Ray Byfuglien is an American professional ice hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League, and, well, I’m just super excited that this tough guy is American. Dustin is not someone you want to mess with and he is definitely an asset to his team and the culture of hockey, in general.
Chris Stewart
Born: October 30, 1987 (age 28), Scarborough, Toronto, Canada
Current team: Anaheim Ducks (Right wing)
Chris Stewart is a Canadian professional ice hockey forward currently playing for the Anaheim Ducks of the National Hockey League. The only non-defenseman in the bunch, Chris resides right here in SoCal and I’ve actually seen him play on the ice. He’s fast, he’s smart and, ok, is he a redhead? Because that’s adorable.
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