Ian Kennedy discusses the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, a new film on Herb Carnegie and Buck O'Neil, Hockey Canada's inclusiveness initiative and more.

Growing the Game is Ian Kennedy’s weekly feature examining the global game, how social issues impact the sport, and how hockey’s important cultural shift continues to evolve.

NHL/NHLPA Announce Inclusion Coalition

The NHL and NHLPA have launched the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, combining a group of past and present NHL players and professional women’s hockey players “to advance equality and inclusion in the sport of hockey on and off the ice.” 

NHL commissioner Gary Bettman made the announcement in Nashville on Monday.

The NHL and NHLPA have committed more than $1 million to support grassroots organizations, storytelling, and other projects.

“Every member of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition shares a passion to bring diversity and inclusion to the forefront of the hockey community. It has been incredible to work together to amplify the role of Players as advisors, ambassadors, and catalysts for real change, which benefits underrepresented groups in the game,” said Anson Carter, co-chair of the coalition. “As we enter the coalition’s next phase, we are excited to grow our impact by sharing more of our work with fans to invite everyone who loves hockey to join the movement with us.”

Tennessee State Becomes First Historically Black College and University to Offer Hockey

Tennessee State University will become the first Historically Black College and University (HBCU) school in America to field an ice hockey team. The school announced it’ll launch a club team in 2024 with the goal of becoming an NCAA Div. I program.

"Bringing ice hockey to Tennessee State University is a part of our continued commitment to provide our students with new opportunities and to broaden new interests in areas where they have traditionally had limited or no access," said TSU President Glenda Glover in a school news release.

For the full story, check out Ryan Kennedy's article on TSU's historic announcement.

'Beyond Their Years: The Incredible Legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O’Neil' Premieres

The Carnegie Initiative hosted a premiere event for a new film Beyond Their Years: The Incredible Legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O’Neil at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto this week.

The film will air nationally across Canada on TSN Thursday, June 29 at 9 p.m. The film parallels the lives of Herb Carnegie and baseball player Buck O’Neil, who were both excluded from professional sport at the highest level due to racism.

“This enlightening film tells an important story about how my father, and baseball legend Buck O’Neil, changed the world by choosing love over hate,” said Bernice Carnegie, co-chair of the Carnegie Initiative. “The CI is deeply grateful to have relationships with partners that share our vision of making the world more inclusive and welcoming.”

Hockey Canada Launches Inclusiveness Initiative

Hockey Canada has announced they’ll be hosting an event, dubbed the “Beyond the Boards Summit” bringing together “leaders in hockey, external subject-matter experts, individuals with lived experiences and stakeholders to identify ways to guide future discussions and actions that will make positive changes to the culture of the game.”

The inaugural Summit is scheduled for Sept. 8 and 9 in Calgary and will examine hockey culture, including “elitism, gender-based violence, homophobia, misogyny, racism and sexism.”

“The Beyond the Boards Summit is a critical step to help us understand areas in the game that need to change,” said Hugh Fraser, chair of the Hockey Canada Board of Directors. “By engaging subject-matter experts, individuals with lived experiences and stakeholders from inside and outside of hockey, we hope collectively we will be able to establish a roadmap to change the culture of the game at all levels.”

Fraser and Canada’s minister of sport, Pascale St-Onge, will be honorary co-chairs of the Summit.

CJ Jackson Shares the Message of Pride

CJ Jackson, goaltender for the PHF’s Toronto Six, passed a message of kindness and support for the LGBTQ+ community during Pride month.

“Being yourself is...everything,” said Jackson. “Every person is put on the earth to spread whatever their true self is, whatever their soul expresses, whatever their personality is, and just to be that to their fullest is the most powerful thing.”

Jackson won an Isobel Cup with the Six last season. In the wake of attacks on Pride and LGBTQ+ people at all levels of hockey, Jackson believes it’s important to embrace people for who they are and allow them to shine, including in sport.

As Jackson said, "Humanity and humans, no matter what your stance is, everyone can understand what it means to have heart and the power that you feel when you feel safe and when you feel excited...I think everyone can connect with something that they love. Every human has that power within them to be who they are and spread that light."