List of black NHL players facts for kids

This article lists Black players who have played in the National Hockey League (NHL). These athletes have made a big impact on the sport of ice hockey.

K'Andre Miller playing for the New York Rangers.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare playing for the Seattle Kraken.

Darnell Nurse playing for the Edmonton Oilers.

Justin Bailey playing for the Buffalo Sabres.

Madison Bowey playing for the Washington Capitals.

Malcolm Subban playing for the Vegas Golden Knights.

Lucas Raymond playing for the Detroit Red Wings.

Ryan Reaves playing for the New York Rangers.

Jordan Greenway playing for the Minnesota Wild.

Pioneers and Stars

Many talented Black players have joined the NHL. They have broken barriers and achieved great things. Some have even won the Stanley Cup, the NHL's championship trophy. Others have been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, which is a huge honor.

Willie O'Ree: The First Black NHL Player

The first Black player in the NHL was Willie O'Ree. He made history on January 18, 1958, playing for the Boston Bruins. This was a very important moment for hockey. O'Ree faced many challenges but showed incredible courage and skill. He opened the door for many other Black players to follow.

Hall of Famers

Two other amazing Black players who are in the Hockey Hall of Fame are Grant Fuhr and Jarome Iginla.

• Grant Fuhr was a fantastic goalie. He played mostly for the Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s. He won five Stanley Cups with the Oilers. He was known for his quick reflexes and exciting style of play.
• Jarome Iginla was a powerful forward. He played for the Calgary Flames for many years. He was a great goal scorer and leader. Iginla won two Olympic gold medals with Team Canada.

List of Black NHL Players

This list includes players who have played at least one NHL game.

• Names in italics mean the player has won the Stanley Cup.
• Names in bold mean the player is currently playing for that team.

Black NHL Players

Nationality	Name	Birthplace	Position	Seasons Played	Teams Played	Ethnicity
	Aliu, AkimAkim Aliu	Okene, Nigeria	RW	2011–2013	CGY	Nigerian-Ukrainian
	Archibald, DarrenDarren Archibald	Newmarket, ON	RW	2013–present	VAN, OTT	Afro-Canadian
	Bailey, JustinJustin Bailey	Buffalo, NY	RW	2015–present	BUF, PHI, VAN, SJS	Bi-racial
	Banks, DarrenDarren Banks	Toronto, ON	LW	1992–1994	BOS
	Baptiste, NicholasNicholas Baptiste	Ottawa, ON	RW	2016–present	BUF	Haitian
	Beckford-Tseu, ChrisChris Beckford-Tseu	Toronto, ON	G	2007–2008	STL	Jamaican-Chinese
	Belle, ShawnShawn Belle	Edmonton, AB	D	2006–2011	MIN, MTL, EDM, COL	Barbadian
	Bellemare, Pierre-EdouardPierre-Edouard Bellemare	Le Blanc-Mesnil, France	LW	2014–present	PHI, VGK, COL, TBL, SEA	Bi-racial, Martiniquais
	Bissonnette, PaulPaul Bissonnette	Welland, ON	LW	2008–2014	PIT, PHX	Bi-racial, his mother is half-black
	Bouillon, FrancisFrancis Bouillon	New York City, NY	D	1999–2014	MTL, NSH	Haitian-French
	Bowey, MadisonMadison Bowey	Winnipeg, MB	D	2017–present	WSH, DET, CHI, VAN	Bi-racial
	Brashear, DonaldDonald Brashear	Bedford, IN	LW	1993–2010	MTL, VAN, PHI, WSH, NYR	African-French
	Brathwaite, FredFred Brathwaite	Ottawa, ON	G	1993–2004	EDM, CGY, STL, CBJ	Barbadian
	Brown, J. T.J. T. Brown	Burnsville, MN	RW	2011–2019	TBL, ANA, MIN	Bi-racial
	Brown, SeanSean Brown	Oshawa, ON	D	1996–2006	EDM, BOS, NJD, VAN
	Byfield, QuintonQuinton Byfield	Newmarket, ON	C	2021–present	LAK	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Byfuglien, DustinDustin Byfuglien	Roseau, MN	D	2005–2019	CHI, ATL, WPG	African-Norwegian-Swedish
	Carter, AnsonAnson Carter	Toronto, ON	RW	1996–2007	BOS, WSH, EDM, NYR, LAK, CAR, VAN, CBJ	Barbadian
	Chatfield, JalenJalen Chatfield	Ypsilanti, MI	D	2021–present	VAN, CAR	Bi-racial
	Coleman, GeraldGerald Coleman	Romeoville, IL	G	2005–2006	TBL	Bi-racial
	Craighead, JohnJohn Craighead	Vancouver, BC	RW	1996–1997	TOR
	Craigwell, DaleDale Craigwell	Toronto, ON	C	1991–1994	SJS
	Daley, TrevorTrevor Daley	Toronto, ON	D	2003–2020	DAL, CHI, PIT, DET	Bi-racial, Jamaican
/	Dawes, NigelNigel Dawes	Winnipeg, MB	LW	2006–2011	NYR, PHX, CGY, ATL, MTL	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Deveaux, AndreAndre Deveaux	Freeport, Bahamas	C	2008–2012	TOR, NYR	Bi-racial, Bahamian
	Doig, JasonJason Doig	Montreal, QC	D	1995–2004	WIN, PHX, NYR, WSH	Jamaican
	Duclair, AnthonyAnthony Duclair	Pointe-Claire, QC	LW	2014–present	NYR, ARI, CHI, CBJ, OTT, FLA, SJS, TBL	Haitian
	Earl, RobbieRobbie Earl	Chicago, IL	LW	2007–2011	TOR, MIN	African American
	Emery, RayRay Emery	Hamilton, ON	G	2002–2015	OTT, PHI, ANA, CHI	Bi-racial
	Etem, EmersonEmerson Etem	Long Beach, CA	RW	2012–2018	ANA, NYR, VAN	Bi-racial
	Fletcher, StevenSteven Fletcher	Montreal, QC	LW/D	1987–1989	MTL, WIN	Bi-racial
	Fortunus, MaximeMaxime Fortunus	Longueuil, QC	D	2009–2014	DAL	Haitian
	Fraser, MarkMark Fraser	Ottawa, ON	D	2006–2017	NJD, TOR, EDM	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Fuhr, GrantGrant Fuhr	Spruce Grove, AB	G	1981–2000	EDM, TOR, BUF, LAK, STL, CGY	Bi-racial, Cree
	Gage, JoaquinJoaquin Gage	Vancouver, BC	G	1994–2001	EDM	Haitian
	Garner, TyroneTyrone Garner	Stoney Creek, ON	G	1998–1999	CGY
	Gibson, ChristopherChristopher Gibson	Karkkila, Finland	G	2015–present	NYI, TBL, SEA*	Saint Lucian-Finnish
	Goulbourne, TyrellTyrell Goulbourne	Edmonton, AB	LW	2017–2019	PHI	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Graham, DirkDirk Graham	Regina, SK	RW	1983–1995	MNS, CHI	Bi-racial, Afro-Canadian
	Grand-Pierre, Jean-LucJean-Luc Grand-Pierre	Montreal, QC	D	1998–2004	BUF, CBJ, WSH, ATL	Haitian
	Greaves, JetJet Greaves	Cambridge, ON	G	2022–present	CBJ	Bi-racial
	Greenway, JordanJordan Greenway	Canton, NY	LW	2017–present	MIN, BUF	Bi-racial
	Grier, MikeMike Grier	Detroit, MI	RW	1996–2011	EDM, WSH, SJS, BUF	African American
	Harris, JordanJordan Harris	Haverhill, MA	D	2021–present	MTL	African American
	Ho-Sang, JoshJosh Ho-Sang	Toronto, ON	RW	2016–present	NYI	Jamaican-Jewish
	Iginla, JaromeJarome Iginla	Edmonton, AB	RW	1995–2017	CGY, PIT, BOS, COL, LAK	Bi-racial, Nigerian
	Imama, BokondjiBokondji Imama	Montreal, QC	LW	2021–present	ARI, OTT	Kongo
	James, ValVal James	Ocala, FL	LW	1981–1987	BUF, TOR	African American
	Jerrard, PaulPaul Jerrard	Winnipeg, MB	D	1988–1989	MNS	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Johnson, BrianBrian Johnson	Montreal, QC	RW	1983–1984	DET
	Johnson, JustinJustin Johnson	Anchorage, AK	RW	2013–2014	NYI	African American
	Johnstone, MarcMarc Johnstone	Cranford, NJ	RW	2023–present	PIT	Bi-racial
	Jones, CalebCaleb Jones	Arlington, TX	D	2018–present	EDM, CHI, COL	Bi-racial
	Jones, SethSeth Jones	Arlington, TX	D	2013–present	NSH, CBJ, CHI	Bi-racial
	Joseph, MathieuMathieu Joseph	Chambly, QC	RW	2018–present	TBL, OTT	Bi-racial, Haitian
	Joseph, Pierre-OlivierPierre-Olivier Joseph	Laval, QC	D	2020–present	PIT	Bi-racial, Haitian
	Joshua, DakotaDakota Joshua	Dearborn, MI	C	2021–present	STL, VAN	Bi-racial
	Joslin, DerekDerek Joslin	Richmond Hill, ON	D	2008–2013	SJS, CAR, VAN	Bi-racial
	Kane, EvanderEvander Kane	Vancouver, BC	LW	2009–present	ATL, WPG, BUF, SJS, EDM	Bi-racial
	Kolesar, KeeganKeegan Kolesar	Brandon, MB	RW	2019–present	VGK	Bi-racial
	Kylington, OliverOliver Kylington	Stockholm, Sweden	D	2015–present	CGY	Swedish-Eritrean
	LaFayette, NathanNathan LaFayette	New Westminster, BC	C	1993–1999	STL, VAN, NYR, LAK
	Laraque, GeorgesGeorges Laraque	Montreal, QC	RW	1997–2010	EDM, PIT, PHX, MTL	Haitian
	Lowe, DarrenDarren Lowe	Toronto, ON	RW	1983–1984	PIT	Afro-Canadian
	Marson, MikeMike Marson	Scarborough, ON	LW	1974–1980	WSH, LAK
	Martin, CraigCraig Martin	Amherst, NS	RW	1994–1997	WIN, FLA	Afro-Canadian
	Mauldin, GregGreg Mauldin	Holliston, MA	C	2003–2011	CBJ, NYI, COL	African American
	Mayers, JamalJamal Mayers	Toronto, ON	RW	1996–2013	STL, TOR, CGY, SJS, CHI	Bi-racial, Barbadian
	McArdle, KenndalKenndal McArdle	Toronto, ON	LW	2008–2012	FLA, WPG	Trinidadian
	McCarthy, SandySandy McCarthy	Toronto, ON	RW	1993–2004	CGY, TBL, PHI, CAR, NYR, BOS	Black-Mi'kmaq
	McHugh, MikeMike McHugh	Bowdoin, ME	LW	1988–1992	MNS, SJS	Bi-racial
	McKegney, TonyTony McKegney	Montreal, QC	LW	1978–1991	BUF, QUE, MNS, NYR, STL, DET, CHI	Bi-racial, Nigerian
	McMorrow, SeanSean McMorrow	Vancouver, BC	LW	2002–2003	BUF
	Miller, K'AndreK'Andre Miller	Saint Paul, MN	D	2020–present	NYR	Bi-racial
	Ndur, RumunRumun Ndur	Zaria, Nigeria	D	1996–2000	BUF, NYR, ATL	Nigerian
	Neufeld, RayRay Neufeld	St. Boniface, MB	RW	1979–1990	HAR, WIN, BOS
	Nurse, DarnellDarnell Nurse	Hamilton, ON	D	2014–present	EDM	Bi-racial, Trinidadian
	Oduya, JohnnyJohnny Oduya	Stockholm, Sweden	D	2006–2018	NJD, ATL, WPG, CHI, DAL, OTT, PHI	Bi-racial, Kenyan
	Okposo, KyleKyle Okposo	St. Paul, MN	RW	2007–present	NYI, BUF, FLA	Bi-racial, Nigerian
	OreeWillie O'Ree	Fredericton, NB	W	1957–1961	BOS	Afro-Canadian
	Peckham, TheoTheo Peckham	Richmond Hill, ON	D	2007–2013	EDM	Bi-racial
	Phillips, IsaakIsaak Phillips	Barrie, ON	D	2021–present	CHI	Vincentian-Finnish
	Raymond, LucasLucas Raymond	Gothenburg, Sweden	LW	2021–present	DET	Bi-racial, Swedish-Afro-French
	Reaves, RyanRyan Reaves	Winnipeg, MB	RW	2010–present	STL, PIT, VGK, NYR, MIN, TOR	Bi-racial
	Reddick, PokeyPokey Reddick	Halifax, NS	G	1986–1994	WIN, EDM, FLA
	Riley, BillBill Riley	Amherst, NS	RW	1974–1980	WSH, WIN	Afro-Canadian
	Robinson, NathanNathan Robinson	Scarborough, ON	C	2003–2006	DET, BOS
	Salvador, BryceBryce Salvador	Brandon, MB	D	2000–2015	STL, NJD	Afro-Brazilian-Ukrainian
	Saunders, BernieBernie Saunders	Montreal, QC	LW	1979–1981	QUE
	Savage, ReggieReggie Savage	Montreal, QC	C	1990–1994	WSH, QUE	Jamaican
	Simmonds, WayneWayne Simmonds	Scarborough, ON	RW	2008–2023	LAK, PHI, NSH, NJD, BUF, TOR
	Smith-Pelly, DevanteDevante Smith-Pelly	Scarborough, ON	RW	2011–2019	ANA, MTL, NJD, WSH
	Smith, GemelGemel Smith	Toronto, ON	C	2016–present	DAL, BOS, TBL, DET	Jamaican
	Smith, GivaniGivani Smith	Toronto, ON	RW	2019–present	DET, FLA, SJS	Jamaican
	Sourdif, JustinJustin Sourdif	Richmond, BC	RW	2023–present	FLA	Bi-racial
	Stewart, AnthonyAnthony Stewart	LaSalle, QC	RW	2005–2012	FLA, ATL, CAR	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Stewart, ChrisChris Stewart	Toronto, ON	RW	2008–2018	COL, STL, BUF, MIN, ANA, CGY, PHI	Bi-racial, Jamaican
	Struble, JaydenJayden Struble	Cumberland, RI	D	2023–present	MTL	Bi-racial
	Subban, MalcolmMalcolm Subban	Toronto, ON	G	2014–present	BOS, VGK, CHI, BUF, CBJ	Jamaican-Montserratian
	Subban, P. K.P. K. Subban	Toronto, ON	D	2009–2022	MTL, NSH, NJD	Jamaican-Montserratian
	Suess, C. J.C. J. Suess	Saint Paul, MN	LW	2019–present	WPG, SJS	Bi-racial
	Thomas, AkilAkil Thomas	Toronto, ON	C	2023–present	LAK	Barbadian
	Townshend, GraemeGraeme Townshend	Kingston, Jamaica	RW	1989–1994	BOS, NYI, OTT	Jamaican
	Vilgrain, ClaudeClaude Vilgrain	Port-au-Prince, Haiti	RW	1987–1994	VAN, NJD, PHI	Haitian
	Walcott, DanielDaniel Walcott	Ile-Perrot, QC	LW	2021–present	TBL	Bi-racial
	Ward, JoelJoel Ward	North York, ON	RW	2006–2018	MIN, NSH, WSH, SJS	Barbadian
	Weekes, KevinKevin Weekes	Toronto, ON	G	1997–2009	FLA, VAN, NYI, TBL, CAR, NYR, NJD	Barbadian
	Worrell, PeterPeter Worrell	Pierrefonds, QC	LW	1997–2004	FLA, COL	Barbadian

More Information

If you want to learn more about Black players in hockey, check out these related articles:

• Black players in ice hockey
• List of African-American sports firsts
• List of starting black NFL quarterbacks
• Race and ethnicity in the NHL
• List of Indian NHL players