HDA: 5 Years of Impact in Hockey, Challenges and Promising Future

The Hockey Diversity Alliance: Five Years of Impact in Hockey

Five years ago, the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) began as a group chat among NHL players of color, a space to discuss the challenges of equality in the sport. This weekend, the HDA is celebrating its Summer Fest in Toronto, an event that will bring together more than 2,200 people from diverse communities. The event will feature NHL players and sports celebrities, and will offer attendees greater exposure to hockey. Akim Aliu, former Calgary Flames player and founding member of the HDA, highlighted the importance of this event for the families and communities that benefit from its programs.

We want to keep showing the incredible work we are doing. None of this benefits us personally, neither financially nor in any other way. It is the families and communities that continue to flourish and grow through our program. And that is something that I think the world should see.

Akim Aliu

Wayne Simmonds, a player with 15 seasons in the NHL and also a founding member of the HDA, described the Summer Fest as the culmination of five years of hard work. The event will include ball hockey, food, and activities for children. Among the NHL players who will be present are Nazem Kadri, Anthony Duclair, Matt Dumba, Chris Stewart, Joel Ward, and Trevor Daley. In addition, the participation of Marshawn Lynch and Colin Kaepernick, who has collaborated with the HDA since its inception, is expected. 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 conversation among players turned into a coalition with the goal of eradicating racism and intolerance in hockey. In a cover letter, the founders expressed their desire to work with the NHL to achieve significant changes. The organization was present at the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, during which the NHL acknowledged the protests with messages in favor of equality. Matt Dumba, a founding member of the HDA, gave a speech against racial injustice before kneeling during the U.S. national anthem in the 2020 playoffs.

Legend: Matt Dumba’s speech before the Blackhawks-Oilers game was a memorable moment from the opening weekend of the 2020 NHL postseason.The HDA presented a series of proposals to the NHL, but ultimately decided to operate independently. Despite the challenges, the HDA has had a significant impact, especially in the community. Aliu mentioned that the biggest challenge has been the decline in corporate support, which has limited the expansion of their programs. However, the HDA has achieved a substantial impact, helping children from diverse backgrounds access hockey. The Hockey Diversity Alliance (@theofficialhda) shared a post on Instagram: See postThe focus on the grassroots has been fundamental to the HDA’s mission. In 2022, the first successful hockey program for young people in the Toronto area was launched, offering free clinics to children between 6 and 15 years old. Aliu estimates that around 1,500 young people participate in their programs. Kadri highlighted that many of these young people have continued to play competitive hockey. The HDA operates programs in the Toronto area, Montreal, Halifax and soon in Vancouver, with expansion plans to Chicago.

Caption: Thanks to its grassroots hockey programs, around 1,500 children can play hockey “completely free,” according to Akim Aliu.The HDA focuses on breaking down barriers to hockey access, especially economic ones, for all children, regardless of their ethnic or socioeconomic background. Kadri has highlighted the positive impact of the HDA on the lives of the families participating in its programs. Simmonds underlined that the goal of the HDA is to expand hockey, making it more accessible and improving the game. Aliu acknowledges that the future of the HDA is partly out of his control, but emphasizes the importance of continuing to seek financial support to help underserved communities. Although an association with the NHL is a long-term goal, Aliu believes that their goals can align. Kadri, for his part, has not experienced friction with the league and believes that a collaboration is possible.