John Utendale facts for kids

John Frederick Utendale (pronounced YOOT-en-dayl; born January 15, 1937 – died August 24, 2006) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player, coach, and college professor. He made history in 1955 by signing a contract with the Detroit Red Wings. This made him the first Black man to sign a contract with a National Hockey League (NHL) team. Later in his life, Utendale became a professor at Western Washington State College (now Western Washington University). He was the first Black faculty member in the school's Woodring College of Education.

Early Life and Hockey Start

John Utendale was born on January 15, 1937, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. His parents were Alfred and Grayce. While still in high school, he began playing hockey with the Edmonton Oil Kings.

In 1955, he signed a contract with the Detroit Red Wings. This was three years before Willie O'Ree became the first Black player to play in an NHL game for the Boston Bruins. Utendale practiced with the Red Wings but never played in an official NHL game. He played for the Red Wings' minor league team, the Edmonton Flyers. During the 1958–59 season, Utendale played with the Quebec Aces. On that team, he played alongside other Black players, Willie O'Ree and Stan Maxwell. Their line was known as "The Black Line."

Some people, including John's brother Paul Utendale, believed that John faced unfair treatment from the Red Wings' coach and general manager, Jack Adams. They suspected this treatment might have prevented him from playing in an NHL game.

Moving into Education

Utendale earned a teaching certificate from the University of British Columbia in 1961. While studying there, he played for the Thunderbirds hockey team for one season. He was the top scorer for his team that year. In 1963, Utendale earned his undergraduate degree in education from the University of Alberta. He finished this degree in just two years while also playing semi-professional hockey.

John Utendale's first job in education was at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology. He became the first director of physical education there and also coached the school's hockey team. He continued to play for several minor hockey teams until 1969. After ending his playing career, he started working on his master's degree at Eastern Washington State College (now Eastern Washington University).

After getting his master's degree, he became an academic coordinator for the athletics department at Washington State University. At WSU, Utendale also taught in the Black studies department. He was also a member of the Washington State Human Rights Commission. While doing all these jobs, Utendale also earned a doctorate degree in education from WSU.

A Career in Teaching

Western Washington University in Bellingham, Washington hired Utendale as the first Black faculty member in its Woodring College of Education. Utendale led Western's master's degree program in student personnel administration for over 25 years. He was recognized across the country for his efforts to increase the number of minority students at Western. He later earned academic tenure at WWU, which meant he had a permanent teaching position.

While at Western, Utendale also coached the Western Washington Vikings men's hockey team. He was the western regional director of the United States Amateur Hockey Association (now USA Hockey). He also helped start the Bellingham Area Minor Hockey Association and coached the city's junior ice hockey team.

In 1980, Utendale was named an assistant training coach with the United States men's national ice hockey team. This made him the first Black member of the team's coaching staff. That team won a gold medal at the 1980 Winter Olympics. This included the famous "Miracle on Ice" game, where the U.S. team beat the powerful Soviet Union team.

Utendale retired from Western Washington University in 2001. He continued to live in Bellingham until his death in 2006.

Personal Life

John Utendale married Maryan "Mickey" Maddison Leonard in 1959. They were married until his death from cancer in 2006. The couple had two sons.

The Seattle Kraken hockey team honored Utendale on February 24, 2022. This was part of their Black History Month celebrations.

See also

• Art Dorrington, the first Black player to sign an NHL contract, in 1950 with a minor league team in the New York Rangers organization
• Willie O'Ree, the first Black player to play in an NHL game
• Black players in ice hockey