As we stop to reflect on this past year – a year for all of uncertainty, anxiety, fear and hope in the face of the collision of health and racial justice crises that only happen once. in a generation – I have come to understand more in depth the areas for growth at the individual level as well as for the game of hockey.

While the COVID-19 pandemic has tested our ability to navigate uncharted waters on the basis of newly emerging and ever-changing information, leadership through times of social unrest has required an entirely different skill set – one rooted in introspection, education, communication, intentionality and authenticity. .

Today marks one year since the murder of George Floyd, a tipping point for our society on issues of racism, social justice, representation and equality. In many ways, this tragedy has acted as an accelerator in the world of sport, pushing us to use our platforms and our influence to stand up for what is right.

The history of the NHL for tackling these issues, perhaps at times, has seemed awkward and uncomfortable. But we evolve – as individuals, as an organization and as a sport – trying to lead and be part of the solution to the challenges that permeate our society, affect hockey culture and have a direct impact on our company, our employees, our players and our fans. Our players, team, and League staff no longer want to “ shut up and play hockey ” – they don’t accept the status quo as the best we can offer everyone who loves this game – especially those who have not felt fully welcomed in the past.

We believe that our contribution to this movement must start from within. Our aspiration to make hockey for all can only be realized if we allow everyone to create the culture of hockey. Our greatest contributions in the future will not come through performative acts, but through substantive commitments in leadership development, education, employment, marketing, partnerships, youth participation and engagement. community and civic. We have developed new strategies, structures, boards and committees to change the way we do business in all of these areas and we continue to involve, support and galvanize our most critical stakeholders.

Earlier this year, I and other members of the NHL leadership team participated in a deep and introspective inclusive learning experience that is currently being rolled out to all NHL employees. This two-day experience was moving, impactful, insightful and, above all, empowering. As Assistant Commissioner Bill Daly put it: “What these discussions have made clear to me is that while I would like every decision to be binary, they very rarely are. Doing the right thing in promoting diversity and inclusion requires taking into account, analyzing, processing and making sense of many (sometimes competing) considerations… I intend to be intentional in trying to be aware of my own limits to fully understand the perspectives of others, so that I can take these limits into account in my decision making. “I share his feelings. On a personal level, the session was an opportunity to reflect on the factors that influence our lives and the ways we can all prioritize change for the future.

This includes changes in our sport. Across the hockey world, we desire deeper relationships with Blacks, Asians, Indigenous, Hispanics / Latinos and all other communities of color – as players, employees, fans, business partners and community leaders. As we build an inclusive culture that welcomes more under-represented groups (including the intersections of race, gender, sexuality and disability), we recognize our own role in opening up new levels of access, by removing real and perceived barriers to entry; and being aware of racial and social issues as we make authentic decisions.

Former NHL player and current leader of the Toronto Maple Leafs, Mark Fraser and Erik Gudbranson of the Nashville Predators recently sat down to reflect on what the past year has meant for them, what they’ve learned about themselves and each other, and their aspirations for the future of our sport. I was particularly struck by the way they discussed vulnerability as strength. Our blind spots, fears, and discomfort in these conversations can reveal opportunities for growth – opportunities that leaders throughout the game are now more aware of than ever before. Like Mark and Erik, many other NHL players have embraced advocacy and alliance as well and expressed their hope that this moment becomes a permanent movement. We hear their stories and feel their passion, and in some cases, their pain. I encourage you to watch the entire conversation between Mark and Erik, which can be found here:

Video: One year later: the movement continues

Over the past year, we have seen significant progress within the League office and from our players, clubs and business partners, who have used their voices and positions to drive positive change forward. It is incumbent upon all of us in the hockey community to become not only familiar, but actively engaged in how culture and society shape our business and how our business shapes culture and society.

We will continue to listen and learn with an open mind, using our platforms to lead a new era with “equality” and “inclusion” as core values ​​of hockey. I encourage anyone who loves this game to think about how they can contribute to positive change in society and through hockey.

Commissioner Gary Bettman