In the pantheon of sports, few have the power to master this ame built upon speed, skill, and unwavering determination. For decades, the Hockey Hall of Fame has been honoring the legends who have left an indelible mark on this exhilarating sport. However, within the annals of Hall’s history, a narrative has emerged, one that echoes the broader struggle for diversity and inclusivity. The absence of Black players from the Hockey Hall of Fame, until recent years, has underscored a lingering disparity within the game. To date, The Hockey Hall of Fame has inducted just five players who belong to black ethnicity. This article list our all the Black NHL Players in Hall of Fame.
List of Black NHL Players Included in Hall of Fame
Grant Fuhr (2003)
Grant Fuhr is the first Black player to make the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2003. He is also the first Black player to win the Stanley Cup after he helped the Edmonton Oilers to lift the Stanley Cup in 1984.
Born to Afro-Canadian parents in Alberta, Fuhr joined Edmonton as the eighth overall pick at the 1981 NHL Entry Draft. He played ten seasons with the team, winning five Stanley Cups (1984, 1985, 1987, 1988, 1990). The goaltender also played in six All-star games and won the Vezina trophy in 1988. In addition to the Oilers, Fuhr played for Maple Leafs, Sabres, Kings, Blues, and Flames in his career. Fuhr played 868 NHL games with a staggering Save Percentage of 0.887%. Also Read: California NFL Teams: How Many NFL Teams Does California State Have as of 2024?
Angela James (2010)
Angela James is one of the first two women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2010. Often called the first woman superstar in women’s hockey, James has helped Canada to win four World Championships, and 2 Three Nations Cups.
James has also been called the Woman Wayne Gretzky who effectively played any position. However, she excelled in defense. Angela Diane James also once played as a goaltender in a game and recorded a shutout. She played since the founding of The Central Ontario Women’s Hockey League (COWHL) and finished her career in the National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL). Also Read: Why is Montreal Canadiens’ Draft Pick David Reinbacher receiving hate?
Willie Eldon O’Ree (2018)
Willie O’Ree created history on January 18, 1958, becoming the first Black player in National Hockey League History. O’Ree wore the Bruins’ jersey against the Habs. Willie O’Ree faced numerous racist chants during his time with Bruins and Canadiens. He played most of his career in the WHL winning two championships there.
His impact on improving inclusiveness and diversity in National Hockey League is widely applauded. The league also created an award in his name to honor people who enable positive contributions to their community.
Jarome Iginla (2020)
Jarome Arthur-Leigh Adikunle Tig Junior Elvis Iginla, or Jarome Iginla is the fourth black NHL Player in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Originally drafted 11th overall by Dallas Stars in 1995, Iginla debuted with the Flames after a trade between Flames and Stars in 1995.
He is the first black NHL Player to lead the NHL in most goals and points in a regular season. He played 1554 NHL across six different teams, scoring a career total of 1300 points (625 goals and 675 assists). He also won two Olympic Golds, World Juniors, and World Championships with Canada.
Herb Carnegie (2022)
Herb Carnegie is the fifth and the most recent black inductee of the Hockey Hall of Fame. Herb Carnegie, born in Toronto in 1919, passed away in 2012 after suffering age-related ailments.
Carnegie is now in the hockey world for his initiative Future Aces, one of the first hockey schools in Canada in the year 1953. He has won many accolades including the highest civilian award of Canada. Carnegie mainly played in the Quebec League. Nevertheless, his play was so good that NYR awarded him a tryout. Conn Smythe, once saw his play and said he would hire him on the spot if he was white and even offered $10,000 to anyone who would turn him white. Also Read: How did New York Knicks receive its name?
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