Petition calls for pro hockey's first Black coach to be inducted into Hall of Fame

A grassroots effort is underway to get professional hockey's first Black coach, John Paris Jr., inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.

Hockey Nova Scotia launched a petition dubbed "Paris to Toronto" on Feb. 1, calling on the Nova Scotia-born Paris to be recognized by the Toronto-based hall for his contributions to the game.

Paris, 76, said in an interview from Halifax Tuesday that all the attention was unexpected. "It's humbling, I can most certainly say that," he said, "just the fact that they took the time to even think of me, regardless of the results."

Despite the long list, he doesn't see his career as a succession of broken barriers.

"Well, what I've always said is that I'm Black by nature and I'm a coach by choice, and there's a difference," Paris said. "I know what colour I am, everybody knows it when they see me, that has nothing to do with my participation as a coach — that's a decision."

Paris, a talented five-foot-five player, was scouted by Scotty Bowman to play junior hockey in Quebec in the early 1960s, with the future NHL head coach and general manager paying a visit to his family home in Windsor, N.S., to recruit him. His playing career was cut short by illness, but his coaching career began about 90 kilometres east of Montreal.

Paris said Charlemagne Peloquin, director of sports and recreation for the town of St-Joseph-de-Sorel, approached him in 1969 to coach the local junior team.

We were proud to have the chance to recognize hockey pioneer John Paris Jr at our game today. Let's help get John in the Hockey Hall of Fame.<br><br>Sign the petition and learn more at <a href="https://t.co/qpmTM7NQoP">https://t.co/qpmTM7NQoP</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/HockeyNS?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HockeyNS</a> <a