from Dan Szczepanek of Grandstand Central,

Hockey culture is evolving. Minority fans, LBGT fans, women, and low-income fans are gaining a voice in hockey fandom through organizations like the Black Girl Hockey Club. The traditional hockey market is changing and, with it, the entire landscape of hockey. Although change is difficult and oftentimes unwanted, anticipating and encouraging this shift toward inclusion is a move that will benefit institutions and hockey fans alike. Embracing diversity and working toward equity in hockey is the best way for the National Hockey League to move forward into the future of hockey....

In my opinion, the NHL needs to continue to build relationships with ethnic minority hockey organizations, as this provides a way for the different communities to get involved in hockey. While conducting a South Asian event for the Edmonton Oil Kings, I met a group of kids that were wearing Jujhar Khaira Oilers jerseys. Jujhar is the only current player of South Asian descent in the NHL, and when I asked the group what it means to them to see a fellow Sikh hockey player in the NHL, they responded by telling me that they themselves had started to play hockey because of him – a very powerful statement. Our organization’s goal is to have male and female hockey players playing at elite levels and have more representation in the NHL. I firmly believe that to diversify the NHL’s fan base, the players in the league must be diverse as well.

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