NHL Diversifying their Portfolio

Since the turn of the Millenia, NHL programs have become less of just a hockey club, and more of a community development program. It began years ago with the Brick Tournament, where some NHL programs selected the best youth at the 10U age bracket and allowed them to don the colors and logos of the organization as a representation of the cities finest. More recently, many clubs have begun local program growth initiatives by providing affordable, and at times free, hockey equipment and reasonably priced or complimentary learn to play sessions. These initiatives helped grow the game on a broad spectrum.

Growing the game is great, but it seemed that it only reached out to certain demographics when it came to player retention. It does not matter how someone may be different, but kids typically shy away from things if they seem to be the lone likeness in a group. Coupling that with tensions rising at a rapid pace between demographics in our country, the game was growing, but only in one direction. More change needed to be made and it started from the top. We saw this at the beginning of the 2020 NHL Bubble, and its introduction of its inclusion initiatives, with major targets being African American and Asian racism being stopped within and outside of the league.

The Pittsburgh Penguins have taken this one step further by announcing their very own Hockey Diversity Program within the city. They have received a grant from the Industry Growth Fund, given to them by a joint NHL-NHLPA CBA approved funding program to help grow the sport in non-traditional ways. This will allow them to help facilitate a new rink in a part of town that has been longing for one. The Shadyside facility is also appropriately placed to garner growth in the diverse community around it, all coming at no expense to the public. We anticipate more teams to follow their lead in creating accessible options for our great game.

Elite Amateur Sports believes strongly in inclusion and welcomes all to participate in their hockey tournaments.