NHL releases 1st diversity and inclusion report: 'This provides us a benchmark'

Kim Davis is proud of the work done to this point. She also knows there's still a long road ahead.

The NHL's executive vice-president of social impact, growth initiatives and legislative affairs presented the league's first-ever comprehensive diversity and inclusion report to the board of governors Tuesday in New York.

The 24-page document aims to highlight efforts to "promote positive social change" in hockey, including an overview of work done at the league level and by its 32 teams over the past two years, and an anonymous workforce study that allowed employees to self-identify across racial demographics, gender identity and sexual orientation.

"Putting a stake in the ground is important for our accountability," Davis said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "Compared to other sports leagues, there are areas where we are advanced.

The NHL's data shows close to 84 per cent of league and club employees identify as white. Black, Indigenous and people of colour make up just under 14 per cent.

Davis said the short-term goal is to get that second number up to 25 per cent to mirror the demographics of the NHL fan base.

Women, meanwhile, currently comprise around 37 per cent of the workforce, which is on par with the gender split of fans. More than 93 per cent of respondents identified as straight/heterosexual.

"This provides us a benchmark," said Davis, who added the plan is to release the report every two years. "We can really lean into the development and the mentoring that we know is required in order to grow."

The document titled "Accelerating Diversity & Inclusion: NHL Report on Strategies, Initiatives and Progress" also includes and updates what the league calls its "seven dimensions" framework to drive change —