NHL, players unveil inclusion coalition to make hockey more diverse and welcoming

The NHL and NHLPA are launching a new inclusion committee made up of current and former men's and women's players, with minority and LGBTQ+ representation, aimed at diversifying hockey and making the sport more welcoming.

The NHL Player Inclusion Coalition unveiled Tuesday is the latest step in a process started in the summer of 2020, when the police killing of George Floyd led to a worldwide reckoning on matters of race and racism. It comes on the heels of Pride night incidents around the league, when a handful of players refused to wear rainbow-coloured jerseys for warmups, leading officials to decide against teams wearing any themed uniforms next season.

The 20-member coalition is chaired by former NHL players P.K. Subban and Anson Carter, each of whom is Black, and includes retired U.S. women's star Meghan Duggan, who is openly gay. Duggan, now the New Jersey Devils' director of player development, wants to be on the leading edge of helping a sport that has traditionally been slow to respond to social change within society.

"Ignorance is just not an excuse anymore," Duggan said. "We have so many resources at our fingertips to understand: 'What is the terminology for the queer community? What is the acronym? What are different, politically correct ways to address certain groups?' The education is out there for people to understand, not necessarily exactly how to relate to someone from a marginalized community, but just how they can be an ally."

The coalition starts with $1 million US to use for contributions to grassroots programs, education and other special projects. Duggan called the group, which also includes current women's players Sarah Nurse and Abby Roque, "action focused" and not just about one that holds