The Minority League

Nathaniel Brooks from the Arizona Coyotes joins us this week. He talks to us about his new role as Skills Development Coach, what his journey to the NHL was like, and how he's inspiring success for other minorities coming into the sport.

Former Washington Capitals player Bill Riley was the third Black player in the National Hockey League. He opens up about how he got started in hockey and went to play in the NHL as well as the racism he faced and how his playing days are remembered. Find out how Anar met this famous player, and how he’s continuing his legacy of good work.

We had a great first season, and we’re really looking forward to our second one! In this episode, we speak with sports journalist and writer Cecil Harris. He’s the author of Breaking the Ice, a book about Black players in professional hockey. Harris talks to us about his experiences covering the Carolina Hurricanes, what opportunities he thinks former Black players should have, and even shares some insight on tennis superstar Serena Williams' recent retirement.

Just like the National Hockey League, we are back!  Join us this season as we speak to some of the most influential people in hockey.  We speak to one of the first Black players in the NHL - former Washington Capitals right winger Bill Riley, Arizona Coyotes coach Nathaniel Brooks, the Seattle Kraken's Mari Horita, sports journalist Cecil Harris, and more.  New episodes start October 11th.

It’s the final episode for this season! We speak with Hockey Night in Canada Punjabi broadcaster, Randip Janda. He tells us about his involvement with the Canucks organization and their Diwali celebrations and how community is a huge part of hockey. Also, Manashi and Anar wrap up what they've learned this season. 

We return this week with the second part of our interview with Samson Cree goalie, Devin Buffalo. He shares his experiences playing college and professional hockey, and he tells us about the community outreach and coaching that he's currently involved with. Also, Anar and Manashi had a New York City adventure last month, and the ladies speak about their shenanigans together!

We speak to Samson Cree goalie Devin Buffalo about his experiences playing hockey professionally and in youth leagues. He tells us about the initiatives he is now leading in his community, and he shares some tough stories with us. Anar and Manashi also discuss the Olympics and how the sports world is responding to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

In this episode, the first Black player in the NHL - Willie O'Ree - talks about his favorite hockey memory.  We also speak to rising NHL star Pierre-Olivier Joseph of the Pittsburgh Penguins, and he and Delvina Morrow tell us more about some of the Penguins' outreach programs.

On this episode, we speak with two people who are actively working in the National Hockey League: Duante Abercrombie and Delvina Morrow. Abercrombie is the Assistant Ice Hockey Coach at Stevenson University, and Morrow is the Senior Director for Strategic Initiatives and DEI for the Pittsburgh Penguins. We learn about the initiatives they have been involved with and the changes they see happening. Anar and Manashi also discuss the impact of COVID on the sport. 

We bring you two former Ft. Dupont Cannons players who are still integral to the organization. They talk about the challenges of being young black men playing hockey and what the opportunities are for playing professionally. This episode features Jaronte Jones and Hank Lee.