The National Hockey League’s 31 teams have set their rosters ahead of the 2018-19 season’s opening day Wednesday.
Some 33 payers of color have made the cut to opening day. The league welcomes some fresh new faces, like diminutive scoring dynamo Kailer Yamamoto of the Edmonton Oilers, while familiar veterans like Nashville Predators defenseman and EA Sports NHL 19 cover athlete P.K. Subban, return to their teams.
Some are goal-scorers, some are goaltenders, some are grinders. Here’s a look at some of the NHL players of color you’ll see this season.
Note: Some players, such as Columbia Blue Jackets defenseman Seth Jones and New York Rangers center Cristoval “Boo” Nieves won’t be on the ice for a while. Jones is out with a knee injury. Nieves is recovering from a concussion:
Max Pacioretty, left wing, Vegas Golden Knights.
Matt Nieto, left wing, Colorado Avalanche.
Andreas Martinsen, left wing, Chicago Blackhawks.
J.T. Brown, right wing, Minnesota Wild.
Kailer Yamamoto, right wing, Edmonton Oilers.
Alec Martinez, defense, Los Angeles Kings.
Cristoval “Boo” Nieves, center, New York Rangers.
Brandon Saad, left wing, Chicago Blackhawks.
Madison Bowey, defense, Washington Capitals.
Malcolm Subban, goaltender, Vegas Golden Knights.
T.J. Oshie, right wing, Washington Capitals.
Devante Smith-Pelly, right wing, Washington Capitals.
Ryan Reaves, right wing, Vegas Golden Knights.
Auston Matthews, center, Toronto Maple Leafs.
Evander Kane, left wing, San Jose Sharks.
Wayne Simmonds, right wing, Philadelphia Flyers.
Mika Zibanejad, center, New York Rangers.
P.K. Subban, defense, Nashville Predators.
Carey Price, goaltender, Montreal Canadiens.
Jordan Greenway, left wing, Minnesota Wild.
Darnell Nurse, defense, Edmonton Oilers.
Ethan Bear, defense, Edmonton Oilers.
Brandon Montour defense, Anaheim Ducks.
Kyle Okposo. right wing, Buffalo Sabres.
Anthony Duclair, left wing, Columbus Blue Jackets.
Jujhar Khaira, left wing, Edmonton Oilers.
Trevor Daley, defense, Detroit Red Wings.
Gemel Smith, center, Dallas Stars.
Matt Dumba, defense, Minnesota Wild.
Seth Jones, defense, Columbus Blue Jackets.
Nazem Kadri center, Toronto Maple Leafs.
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare, left wing, Vegas Golden Knights.
Mathieu Joseph,right wing, Tampa Bay Lightning.
Pacioretti? Mathews? Nieto? Let’s have your definition of “people of color” please.And if you wish to include Saad, Zibanejad etc.,your list should also include,Zuker,Hyman, Leipsic,etc. you can’t just cherrypick the people of middle east ancestry that YOU want. Your list smacks more of racism than race.
Pacioretty, Mathews, and Nieto have all spoken proudly about their Mexican roots. And if you think the list smacks of racism then I suggest you move on from this blog.
Goodbye
Good riddance! Keep up the awesome job, Mr. Douglas. If a player acknowledges their roots and speaks about the uniqueness and struggles of being a minority player I’m glad this blog covers and supports them. If they don’t then that’s their choice. But the accusation that you or this blog are racist is simply ridiculous!