Hockey Diversity Alliance says NHL 'late to party' in launching inclusion coalition

Akim Aliu and his fellow members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance say they feel betrayed and confused by the NHL's decision to launch — or as far as the HDA is concerned, re-launch — an inclusion committee to diversify the sport and make hockey more welcoming.

Whatever happened, Aliu wondered, to the league announcing a partnership with the HDA to address the same issues three years ago? And why, the HDA wondered in releasing a scathing statement Wednesday, is the NHL essentially duplicating what they've been doing by funnelling millions into programs at the grassroots level and introducing hockey to at-risk youths in under-served communities of colour?

"As the NHL has done so many times, they're late to the party, and they still want to show that they want to be involved in the dance," Aliu, a veteran who played in a handful of NHL games, told The Associated Press.

Aliu's comments mirror the statement he, seven current and former NHL players and the HDA's support staff and sponsors signed off on after holding lengthy discussions since the league unveiled its inclusion committee last week. The HDA's membership includes Matt Dumba, Anthony Duclair and Wayne Simmonds.

"It's a disappointment, but not a surprise that the NHL announced the formation of a 'players inclusion coalition,'" the HDA's statement reads.

"Laudable on its face, laughable in full context of the work we have been doing for three years without the league's support," it states. "The NHL's players coalition's mission statement does not echo the HDA's goals so much as cynically attempt to appropriate them."

History is unforgiving when it comes to showing us who was on the right side of it&who wasn’t.The way I see it, I only answer to the next