When you think of the sports where Black athletes have dominated, basketball and football probably come to mind first. The NBA and NFL are leagues where Black athletes are not just prevalent—they define the sport culturally, athletically, and commercially. Hockey has always been a different story. The NHL has never really been dominated by Black players, and for decades, it wasn’t even widely watched or embraced in Black communities. Ice hockey has historically been viewed as a largely white sport—and that reality shaped who played it, who got attention, and who felt welcome on and off the ice.
That began to change on January 18, 1958, when Willie O’Ree made history as the first Black player in NHL history, debuting with the Boston Bruins and breaking hockey’s color barrier. He’s often called the “Jackie Robinson of hockey” for his role in pushing the game forward and enduring racist treatment while simply trying to play at the highest level. His courage opened doors that a generation had thought were closed forever.
That breakthrough laid the groundwork for Black athletes to join the league in every era since. Players like Mike Marson, Grant Fuhr, Val James, and Jarome Iginla further proved that Black players could not only compete in the NHL—they could excel. Iginla became one of the greatest scorers of his era, and Fuhr’s Hall of Fame resume, including multiple Stanley Cups, reminded everyone that Black hockey players belong at the sport’s highest pinnacles.
Today, the influence of those pioneers is clearer than ever. Guys like Quinton Byfield and K’Andre Miller are among the most exciting young talents in the league. Byfield became the highest-drafted Black player in NHL history when he went second overall in the 2020 NHL Draft, and he’s now a cornerstone for the Los Angeles Kings. Veterans like Seth Jones, Evander Kane, Anthony Duclair, and Ryan Reaves are household names who’ve carved out real legacies in the league. That kind of visibility simply didn’t exist a few decades ago.
As the game’s influence has grown within Black communities, the number of Black players has grown with it. Entering the 2025-2026 season, the league features roughly 23-26 Black players, marking one of the highest totals in NHL history at a single time. That growth matters. It changes the trajectory of the sport, expands who feels connected to it, and encourages more Black youth to lace up skates and see hockey as a space where they belong – not just as fans, but as potential future pros. With that being said, check out the list of all the current Black players in the league. Salute to them!
BLACK NHL PLAYERS ACTIVE IN THE 2025-26 SEASON
Forwards
Quinton Byfield – Los Angeles Kings
Evander Kane – Vancouver Canucks
Anthony Duclair – New York Islanders
Ryan Reaves – San Jose Sharks
Dakota Johnson – Toronto Maple Leafs
Keegan Kolesar – Vegas Golden Knights
Givani Smith – Carolina Hurricanes
Andre Lee – Los Angeles Kings Prospect
Mathieu Joseph – St. Louis Blues
Jordan Greenway – Buffalo Sabres
Akil Thomas – St. Louis Blues Prospect
Bokondji Imama – Pittsburgh Penguins