More than 20 years before the NHL dropped it’s first puck in 1917, the Coloured Hockey League of the Maritimes (CHLM) was blazing a trail in hockey history.
On Monday night at the Canadian Tire Centre, Black History Ottawa helped organize a game to mark the 130th anniversary of the league’s founding in 1895.
For Susan Lucas, who attended with friends, this game is special to her because her grandfather played in the CHLM.
“Hockey is for all ages and for all people so it’s for everyone,” Lucas said. “Just being able to celebrate these types of events with commemorative games keeps the history alive, which is important for people.”
Jean Marie Guerrier of Black History Ottawa says hundreds of Black hockey players played in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. They were trailblazers in Canadian and hockey history and were the first to develop and use the slap shot.
“A lot of the time people think hockey is not for Black people. When they learn about the history and see how much we have been involved that inspires youth and people that want to get into the game to pursue their dreams to play hockey,” Guerrier said. “It’s not just Black history, it’s Canadian history.”
Former NHL player Mark Fraser faced challenges pursuing a professional career. He was on the ice Monday night celebrating the history of hockey trailblazers.
“For someone like myself, who is a racialized individual (and) a member of the Black community, there may be other barriers that you will have to navigate through challenges and certainly bias from opponents and fans and certainly some of the decision makers,” Fraser said. “This celebrates the multiculturalism and diversity that exists in our cities, our spaces, our arenas, our workplaces and schools and acknowledging our history.”
The Minister Emeritus at Parkdale United Church, Rev. Dr. Anthony Bailey says this game is a way to showcase success. This decade-long tradition supported by Black History Ottawa offering an opportunity to connect and grow.
“We recognize the incredible excellence in communities of colour and we want to be able to showcase that and celebrate that, Bailey said. “We all belong, and it is important for us make sure we are represented as a Black community.”
