Cambridge, ON – During Black History Month, Canadians celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians and their communities who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada a culturally diverse, compassionate, and prosperous country. The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) strongly supports all manifestations of diversity and inclusiveness.
Black History Month is a time to learn more about these Canadian stories and the many other important contributions that Black Canadians and their communities have made to the history and continued growth of this country and the many positive contributions that Black Canadians have made on the game of hockey, especially within the footprint of the OHA. Indeed, the OHA is committed to doing a better job in this story telling aspect and to taking concrete steps aimed at being a leader in making meaningful change toward the game of hockey being accessible to all.
Hockey is one of the many facets within our culture that Black Canadians have had a positive impact on. There is a long and rich history of Black players playing the game at a high level and subsequently impacting future generations of Black players. Herb Carnegie is one such player that had a massive impact on the game of hockey.
Born November 8, 1919 in Toronto, Herb Carnegie is regarded as the best Black player never to play in the NHL during the Original Six era. In fact Willie O’Ree, the first black player to play in the NHL, once said, ‘”Herb Carnegie should have been in the National Hockey League before me.” Carnegie played in the 1940s and 1950s, mostly in Quebec and Ontario including the OHA. He was a member of the Black Aces, the first all-Black line in hockey outside the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes. Following his retirement from hockey in 1954, he established the Herbert H. Carnegie Future Aces Foundation. He was made a Member of the Order of Canada and has been inducted into the Ontario Sports Hall of Fame, Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame and the Hockey Hall of Fame.
To learn more about Herb Carnegie and the Future Aces Foundation click here
Click here to see a great documentary that the Toronto Maple Leafs put together.
The OHA, as one of the oldest hockey associations in the world, is extremely proud to celebrate Black History Month and the legacy of Herb Carnegie – a legacy that continues to make an indelible mark on the advancement of hockey in Ontario.
