HDA: 5 years breaking barriers in hockey, challenges and future.

The Hockey Diversity Alliance: Five Years of Fighting for Inclusion in Hockey

Five years ago, what began as a chat group among NHL players of color has transformed into a powerful force driving change in the hockey world. The Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) is celebrating its fifth anniversary, marking a milestone in its mission to promote equality and inclusion within the sport.

This Saturday, Toronto’s Canoe Landing Park will be the setting for the HDA’s Summer Fest, a community event that will bring together more than 2,200 people from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with NHL players and other prominent sports personalities, as well as participate in activities related to hockey, the core of the HDA initiative.

We just want to keep showcasing the incredible work we are doing. None of us get anything from this personally, financially or otherwise. It’s just the families and communities that continue to flourish and grow through our program. And that’s something that, I believe, the world should see.

Akim Aliu, former Calgary Flames player and founding member of the HDA

Wayne Simmonds, with 15 seasons in the NHL and also a founding member of the HDA, describes the Summer Fest as “a wonderful culmination of the last five years of work”. The event, branded HDA, will offer roller hockey, food, and attractions for children. Among the NHL players participating are Akim Aliu, Wayne Simmonds, Nazem Kadri (Calgary Flames), Anthony Duclair (New York Islanders), Matt Dumba (Pittsburgh Penguins), and former players Chris Stewart, Joel Ward, and Trevor Daley. The presence of former NFL running back Marshawn Lynch and quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who has maintained a long relationship with the HDA, is also expected. Kaepernick, who shares representation with Aliu, participated in a series of video conferences with the founding members before the initiative’s launch.

It was good to consult his opinion on how his struggle was and how he overcame it. He said that if we were going to do this, we obviously had to stick together no matter what.

Wayne Simmonds

The HDA was founded in June 2020, amidst the civil unrest in the United States following the murder of George Floyd. What began as a group conversation among current and retired players turned into a pioneering coalition, led by Aliu and Evander Kane, who is no longer affiliated with the HDA. In a cover letter, these six NHL players expressed their intention to “eradicate racism and intolerance” in hockey. Although the HDA operates independently of the NHL, productive collaboration is expected to achieve significant changes. The organization had a presence during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, held in Toronto and Edmonton. The NHL recognized the national protests by displaying “We Skate For Black Lives” ads on stadium screens. Defenseman Matt Dumba, a founding member of the HDA, gave an emotional speech against racial injustice before kneeling during the United States national anthem.

The HDA strived to generate changes in its first months. In August 2020, it published an eight-point commitment that requested the NHL, including hiring goals for hockey-related personnel and funding for grassroots initiatives. After months of negotiations, the HDA announced that it would operate “separately and independently” from the NHL, which created its own Player Inclusion Coalition to address inequality. Simmonds explained that, although they initially tried to partner with the league, they did not reach an agreement on some issues. Despite the challenges, the HDA has achieved a significant impact. Aliu highlights the pride in what has been built and the organization’s ongoing work. The biggest challenge for the HDA has been the decrease in corporate support. However, the organization remains focused on its programs and their expansion. The HDA focuses on grassroots work. In 2022, it launched its first successful youth hockey program in the Greater Toronto Area, offering free clinics to children between the ages of 6 and 15 from diverse communities. Aliu estimates that 1,500 young people participate in these programs, and between 45 and 50 of them have advanced to play competitive hockey.

The HDA supports programs in the Greater Toronto Area, Montreal, and Halifax, and is launching one in Vancouver. Aliu mentions conversations to start one in Chicago. The HDA reports an 80% retention rate in its programs. Although the HDA is dedicated to promoting “people of color”, it also focuses on breaking down all barriers to access for disadvantaged youth, especially economic ones. HDA programs include 40% girls and 30% white boys. Kadri highlights the gratification of listening to the families who have participated in the program, emphasizing the positive impact on creating friendships and the passion for sports. In the next five years, the HDA seeks to “bring hockey to the world” and expand the game. Aliu acknowledges that the future of the HDA is partly out of his control, but emphasizes the importance of continuing to push, grow, and seek financial opportunities. The possibility of a collaboration with the NHL remains a “dream”, although Aliu believes that the goals of both organizations can align to benefit hockey. Kadri, who is about to begin his 16th season in the NHL, has not experienced friction with the league and believes that a partnership is possible, despite the current independence. “Even if we do it in different ways, I think the ultimate goal is very similar.”