The Hockey Diversity Alliance: Five Years of Impact in Hockey
Five years ago, the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) emerged as a chat group among NHL players of color, focused on civil rights and equality in the sport. This weekend, the Summer Fest event in Toronto celebrates that anniversary with an event that seeks to promote inclusion in hockey. The event, scheduled for Saturday at Canoe Landing Park, will bring together more than 2,200 people from diverse communities and economic backgrounds. Attendees will have the opportunity to interact with NHL players and other sports celebrities, as well as participate in hockey-related activities.Wayne Simmonds, with 15 seasons in the NHL and also a founding member of the HDA, described the Summer Fest as “a wonderful culmination of the last five years of all the work we have been doing at the HDA.” The event will feature ball hockey, food, and activities for children. NHL players participating include Akim Aliu, Wayne Simmonds, Nazem Kadri, Anthony Duclair, Matt Dumba, Chris Stewart, Joel Ward, and Trevor Daley. Marshawn Lynch and Colin Kaepernick, who has maintained a long relationship with the HDA, are also expected to be present. Kaepernick participated in video conferences with the founding members before the initiative’s launch.We just want to keep showing the incredible work we are doing. None of us gain anything from this personally, financially, or in any way. It is the families and communities that continue to flourish and grow through our program. And that is something that, I believe, the world should see.
Akim Aliu, founding member of the HDA
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 pioneering coalition led by Aliu and Evander Kane. Their initial goal was to “eradicate racism and intolerance” in hockey. The organization had a presence during the 2020 Stanley Cup playoffs, where messages of support for “Black Lives Matter” were displayed. Matt Dumba, a founding member of the HDA, gave a speech against racial injustice before kneeling during the national anthem.It was good to analyze his experience and how he faced it. He said that if we were going to do this, we obviously had to stick together no matter what.
Wayne Simmonds on Colin Kaepernick
Despite the challenges, Aliu highlights the pride in what has been built and the impact on communities. One of the biggest challenges has been the decrease in corporate support, which has limited the expansion of its programs. The HDA has placed a strong focus on grassroots work. Its initial 2020 statement included a commitment to promote diversity and make hockey more economically accessible. The HDA’s first successful youth hockey program was established in the Toronto area in 2022, offering free clinics to children aged 6 to 15 from diverse communities. Currently, the HDA has about 1,500 young people participating in its programs, with an 80% retention rate, and many of them have advanced to competitive levels.The first route for us was to try to partner with the league, but we really didn’t agree on some of the issues.
Wayne Simmonds
In the next five years, the HDA will seek to expand hockey globally. Although there is no formal relationship with the NHL, Aliu hopes that their goals will align, seeking a future where everyone feels welcome and safe in the sport. Kadri, who is about to begin his 16th season in the NHL, believes that a partnership with the league is not impossible, despite the fact that they currently operate independently.I’ve had people tell me that the HDA has helped their children make friends because of the camaraderie aspect of playing a sport they love. Just seeing the emotion on the parents’ faces when they tell us these stories makes you realize, ‘OK, this is why we’re doing this’
Nazem Kadri
