Anthony Duclair

Alex Ovechkin throws support behind Hockey Diversity Alliance in powerful HNIC opening

Alex Ovechkin was part of Hockey Night In Canada’s powerful opening last night.

The nearly four-minute intro, set to Bob Marley’s Redemption Song, put a spotlight on the Black Lives Matter movement and the newly formed Hockey Diversity Alliance, whose goal is to eradicate systemic racism in the sport and change the face of hockey. The opener aired hours after Matt Dumba became the first player to kneel during the national anthem of the Blackhawks-Oilers game.

Former Capitals forward Joel Ward and Devante Smith-Pelly were also featured in the clip.

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By Ian Oland 3 years ago

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These NHL players have spoken out about racism and the death of George Floyd

George Floyd died on May 25, after a police officer knelt on his neck for more than eight minutes. His death has sparked sorrow and protests across the country, demanding meaningful change. While many high-profile athletes have shared their opinions on the event, including LeBron James and Colin Kaepernick, the NHL has been relatively quiet.

Two Black players, JT Brown and Evander Kane, were the first to speak up. In an interview with ESPN’s First Take, Kane called on other high profile athletes “like Tom Brady and Sidney Crosby” to do something.

“We need so many more athletes–that don’t look like me–speaking out about this,” he said, “having the same amount of outrage that I have inside, and using that to voice their opinion, to voice their frustration, because that’s the only way it’s going to change.”

Since that time, more NHL players–both white and Black–have added their voices to the call for change. Here’s who they are and what they had to say.

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By Brennin Weiswerda 3 years ago

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