Skating Toward Acceptance

Bob Dawson was the first Black hockey player in the former Atlantic Intercollegiate Hockey League and was part of the first line of all-Black athletes Canadian university hockey, skating alongside Darrell Maxwell and Percy Paris. He knows first-hand the barriers that athletes of colour face — Dawson was frequently targeted by opposing players and fans alike.

Despite facing racism and other challenges, Black hockey players have had a major impact on the game — something that Dawson wants to share with all Canadians.

The project concluded with a commemorative hockey game held in Ottawa between teams named after two original Coloured Hockey League teams: the Dartmouth Jubilees and the Halifax Eurekas. The CBC’s Hockey Night in Canada aired parts of the game.

Dawson said it is important to recognize the achievements of Black hockey players in Canada because many of their contributions have been overlooked. He added that it is also important to recognize the racism the players were up against — and to celebrate the perseverance of the players who broke down barriers to play the game they love.

Barrier breakers in hockey history include brothers Herb and Ossie Carnegie who, along with Manny McIntyre, were known as the “Black Aces” (the first all-Black line in professional hockey), Art Dorrington (the first Black player to sign an NHL contract), and Willie O’Ree. Dawson said their contributions paved the way for other Black hockey players, including Mike Marson, Bill Riley, Tony McKegney, and Grant Fuhr, who are all retired NHL players.

“It’s through celebrating the achievements of those who played the game before us that we, as a community, keep their memories alive and instill pride,” Dawson said.