Famous Black Hockey Players You Need to Know

In honor of Black History Month we’re highlighting some of the most famous black Hockey Players of all time. From Willie O’Ree to Grant Fuhr, these athletes have made a huge impact on the sport.

Willie O’Ree

Willie O’Ree, nicknamed “The Atom,” is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player best known for being the first Black Player in the National Hockey League He played as a winger for the Boston Bruins from 1958 to 1961. During his career, he faced racial taunts and was subject to physical abuse on the ice.

O’Ree’s career began in the Canadian amateur hockey Association with the Quebec Aces. In 1955–56, he scored 50 goals in 39 games with the Aces. After making his professional debut with the Quebec Provincial League’s Kitchener-Waterloo Canucks, he was called up to the NHL Bruins late in the 1957–58 season, appearing in two games. The following season, he became a regular player with Boston, scoring four goals and ten assists in 43 games. He remained with Boston until 1961.

In 1998, O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in the “Players” category and in 2018 he was inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions as part of their “Legends of Sport” category.

Grant Fuhr

Grant Fuhr is a retired Canadian professional Ice Hockey goaltender. He played for the Edmonton Oilers Toronto Maple Leafs Buffalo Sabres Los Angeles Kings and St. Louis Blues He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003.

Jarome Iginla

Jarome Iginla is a Canadian former professional Ice hockey player. He played over two decades in the National Hockey League (NHL) for the Calgary Flames Pittsburgh Penguins Boston Bruins and Colorado Avalanche Iginla was born in Edmonton, Alberta, and raised in St. Albert, Alberta. As a youth, he played in the 1994 Quebec International Pee-Wee Hockey Tournament with team Pacific before being drafted 11th overall by the Dallas Stars in the 1995 NHL Entry Draft He was traded to Calgary prior to ever playing a game for Dallas.

Iginla became one of the league’s most dominant power forwards and had a long history of winning individual awards. Iginla was selected to play in six All-Star Games and won the Art Ross Trophy as leading scorer during the 2001–02 season with 96 points. He also captured consecutive Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophies as the NHL’s top goal-scorer in 2002 and 2003. In 2004, he was named to both the First All-Star team and Second All-Star Team; only Drew Doughty has earned that distinction since 2004–05 lockout ended.

Ray Emery

Ray Emery was an NHL goaltender who played for 11 seasons with seven teams. He was drafted 99th overall by the Ottawa Senators in the 2001 NHL Entry Draft In his NHL career Emery had a win-loss record of 145-86-28, with a 2.70 GAA and .906 save percentage He helped the Senators reach the Stanley Cup Final in 2007, where they lost to the Anaheim Ducks in five games. Emery also won a Stanley Cup with the Chicago Blackhawks in 2013, when he served as backup to Corey Crawford.

PK Subban

PK Subban is a Canadian professional hockey player who currently plays for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He is known for his outstanding defensive skills and his ability to score goals

Subban was born on May 13, 1989, in Toronto, Ontario. He began playing hockey at a young age and quickly developed his skills. He played for the Ontario minor hockey Association’s Belleville Bulls before being drafted by the NHL’s Montreal Canadiens in 2007.

Subban quickly became a fan favorite in Montreal, due to his exciting style of play and his outgoing personality. He was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2009-10 and helped the Canadiens reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2014.

In June of 2016, Subban was traded to the Nashville Predators He helped the Predators reach the Stanley Cup Finals in 2017, where they ultimately lost to the Pittsburgh Penguins

Subban is widely considered to be one of the best defensemen in the NHL today He has won numerous awards, including the James Norris Memorial Trophy (given to the NHL’s top defenseman) in 2013 and 2015.

Dustin Byfuglien

Dustin Byfuglien is a Canadian-American professional ice hockey player for the Winnipeg Jets of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was originally drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks in the NHL Entry Draft and has also played for the Atlanta Thrashers He is known for his physical style of play and his large size.

Byfuglien played Junior hockey for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League (WHL) before being drafted by the Blackhawks in 2003. He made his NHL debut with Chicago in 2005–06 and began his career as a defenceman before moving to forward. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup in 2010. After four seasons with Chicago, he was traded to Atlanta prior to the 2010–11 season.

With Atlanta, he made another position switch, returning to defence. After four seasons with the team, Byfuglien was traded back to Winnipeg (the former Atlanta Thrashers) following the team’s sale to True North Sports & Entertainment. Byfuglien has represented the United States internationally on several occasions, winning a silver medal at the 2010 Winter Olympics

Evander Kane

Evander Kane is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Buffalo Sabres of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected by the Atlanta Thrashers with the fourth overall pick in the 2009 NHL Entry Draft Kane is of black African descent, making him one of the few black players in NHL history

Seth Jones

Seth Jones was drafted fourth overall by the Nashville Predators in the 2013 NHL Entry Draft making him the highest-drafted African-American player in NHL history He played two seasons with the Predators before being traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets where he currently serves as captain.

Jones is a strong two-way defenseman who has quickly become one of the league’s best at his position. He helped lead the Blue Jackets to a surprising playoff berth in 2019 and was named a finalist for the Norris Trophy awarded to the league’s top defenseman, that same year.

In 2020, Jones became just the second black player in NHL history to be named to an All-Star team, joining Jarome Iginla in that distinction.Jones is a native of Plano, Texas and is the son of former NBA player Popeye Jones.

Ryan Whitney

Ryan Whitney is a Canadian professional ice hockey player who is currently playing for the Edmonton Oilers of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted in the first round, fifth overall, by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2002 NHL Entry Draft He has also played for the Anaheim Ducks and Florida Panthers

Whitney is known for his superb skating and playmaking abilities. He is an excellent two-way player and has been praised for his work ethic and leadership qualities. Whitney has represented Canada at several international tournaments, winning a gold medal at the 2005 World Junior Championships.

Joel Ward

Joel Ward is a Canadian professional ice hockey right winger who is currently playing for the Nashville Predators of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was selected in the fifth round, 124th overall, by the Minnesota Wild in the 2000 NHL Entry Draft

Ward began his junior career in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League (QMJHL) with the Sherbrooke Castors. He played four seasons in the QMJHL, tallying 103 goals and 260 points in 241 games. After his rookie season with Sherbrooke, he was selected in the second round of the Canadian Hockey League (CHL) Import Draft by the Owen Sound Attack of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL).

Upon completion of his junior career, Ward joined the American Hockey League’s (AHL) Houston Aeros affiliate of the Wild. He played two seasons with Houston before making his NHL debut in 2005–06.