Anthony Stewart on Hockey Equality and Creating Community
by – David McPherson
Cambridge, ON – When your actions are fueled by passion, nothing feels like work. That’s the ideal. And, it’s what retired National Hockey League (NHL) player Anthony Stewart epitomizes.
Born in LaSalle, Quebec, Anthony, the oldest of seven children, grew up in Scarborough, Ont. His path to the NHL was far from a straight road. His father, Norman, immigrated to Montreal from Jamaica in the mid 1970s and fell in love with hockey thanks to “les Canadiens.” When Norman had boys of his own, it was only natural to share this passion. Despite the financial challenges that included getting evicted from their home and living in subsidized housing, and walking miles in blizzards to the rink, Anthony’s dad gave his kids the opportunity to participate in Canada’s game.
Anthony and younger brother Chris were both NHL first-round draft picks (Anthony in 2003 and Chris in 2006). They joined black trailblazers in the sport like Willie O’Ree, Grant Fuhr and Anson Carter. When the NHL compiled this timeline, it included the Stewart siblings’ feat as one of the significant milestones in Black Hockey History.
Anthony played in the OHL for the Kingston Frontenacs and represented Canada in two World Junior Championships—leading his country in scoring at the 2003 IIHF World U18 Championships. Following six seasons in the NHL, playing for a trio of teams before retiring in 2015 – Anthony also laced up his skates for a few European teams.
He now calls Markham, Ont. home and despite officially retiring, the arena is still his home away from home. Today, the 40-year-old shares his passion for the game that gave him so much—and keeps on giving—via various jobs, some paid and some volunteer. From leading the K-W Siskins (who hired him two years ago as its new president) to working as a media analyst for Toronto Maple Leafs games, to founding the charity Hockey Equality and coaching his kids’ teams, hockey is still what gets Anthony out of bed each morning. He is forever grateful to his parents and the families, who gave him the opportunity to follow his hockey dreams.
Hockey Equality’s work, in conjunction with the NHL’s diversity programs, are already bearing fruit at both the grassroots (the Black Hockey Summit) and at the professional level. Three players of color involved with the charity were selected in the 2024 NHL Draft: defenseman Zayne Parekh was taken by the Calgary Flames with the No. 9 pick; forward Kevin He, the highest-drafted China-born player in NHL history, was chosen by the Winnipeg Jets in the fourth round (No. 109); and defenseman Ty Henry went to the Chicago Blackhawks in the sixth round (No. 163).
The OHA recently chatted with the father of four to learn more about his hockey journey and the many ways he uses his passion and experience to give back to the game. Following the interview, he headed to Montreal to work the 4 Nations Face-Off for the NHL radio network and host, with Georges Laraque, a mentorship workshop for QMJHL prospects.
Talk about the mission of Hockey Equality and how—through this registered charity—you are working to lower the financial barriers for black, indigenous, persons of color, female and other equity deserving youth hockey players.
I’m just replicating what all those caring families did for my brother and I when we were growing up … the ones who went above and beyond to make sure we had a ride to the rinks and that we had equipment. I remember wanting to score as many goals as possible because maybe they’d take me to McDonald’s or buy me a meal after the game. It’s about removing as many barriers as you can, so the kids can just focus on playing hockey. That was my issue growing up. I was always worried about how I would get to the rink, how I would get home or what I was going to eat? All those worries distracted me from just playing the game that I love, but once all those families offered help with some of those worries, focusing just on hockey was a lot easier.
That’s what we’re trying to replicate with Hockey Equality … make it a soft landing for a lot of these players and that’s when their talents really shine through. We are now in our fifth year and we’ve had great funding and program support from the NHL and the NHLPA. We are just doing our best to pay it forward.
You took the job as President of the K-W Siskins two years ago. Talk about your decision to accept this leadership position, impressions to date of this storied franchise and its hockey community and some of your early successes.
When I took the job, what I saw was that the sense of community has become very transactional and certain demographics do not have access to play the game. But, I love the GOJHL. You look at the pricing, the high quality of play, and how each team has a connection to the community with local sponsorships and longtime fans … And, the fans keep coming; there’s people I’ve met that have been Siskins’ fans for 50 years and met their spouse on a road trip to Ayr. That bond locals have for the team is why this job entices me. The community has welcomed me with open arms.
We’ve implemented a mentorship program to give people at all levels of the organization opportunities for growth. As an example, we hired former Kitchener Ranger player Elijah Roberts as an assistant coach; getting that entry level job right out of school usually takes guys four or five years, but he stepped in right away; he’s hit the ground running and done an amazing job. We also have athletic therapists who are female. We are doing our best to achieve equity and help everybody get to that next level.
Talk about your hockey journey a bit: the perseverance to never lose that passion no matter whether you were lacing up your skates for an NHL team or a farm team somewhere.
I was a first-round NHL draft pick and though I did not play 1,000 games in the big leagues like some of my counterparts, the reality is that and I’m still one of like 700 people of color that have even made the NHL. That just shows, when you put it in perspective, how great an achievement that is. I’ve also been fortunate to live in places like Russia and Switzerland and learn different languages and taste different foods. Hockey is the vehicle that gave me all those experiences; it was my occupation and it took me around the world. Most people don’t ever leave their hometown, let alone their country. The game of hockey has taken me everywhere, not to mention the experiences, the friendships and the networks that I’ve also grown over the years that are definitely invaluable.
I’m proud that my successes away from the ice have been just as great: helping my brother and helping the next generation achieve their dreams. Those are my real crowning achievements, aside from winning a gold medal, or being drafted in the first round.
As a father of a daughter who plays hockey (U11 for the Scarborough Sharks), talk about the growth of young female players and how Hockey Equality supports this demographic.
We’ve had conversations with people high up in the girls’ game. I feel there are girls that might be good enough to step into the GOJHL at 18-years-old. I coach my two boys, so I’m at the rinks a lot. There are girls I see that are 10, 11 and 12-years-old that are head and shoulders better than the boys … the future is definitely bright. Just seeing the development and the rapid growth in youth girls hockey is definitely exciting. I see it with my daughter who wants to get up at 7 a.m. for a skating lesson; she wants to do an extra workout at the gym. I’m like, ‘Wow! I didn’t have that drive until I was 13 or 14 years old, let alone 10!’
We also just had our second Nursey Night; Sarah Nurse brought out 10 of the girls from our program and they got to watch the game in a box and meet their hero afterwards and take a bunch of pictures. Anything I can do to help, I’m more than willing to do it.
At the core, Hockey Equality and your mission, no matter the program, is about removing barriers right—whether financial or societal—just giving kids from all cultural backgrounds and financial situations a chance to participate in hockey and discover the joys of playing Canada’s game just like you did.
That’s right. My dad immigrated to Canada from Jamaica in the 1970s and hockey is how he integrated into the local community going to all of the Montreal Canadiens block parties. When he introduced me to the game, I immediately fell in love with it too. Regardless of our financial status, he found a way to give me an opportunity to pursue that passion and that’s what it’s really about: getting kids involved. It is Canada’s game and because of that everybody is connected through the game. You just have to get them on the ice and then the rest will take care of itself.
Growing up, my biggest hero was my mom. She went above and beyond to make sure my siblings and I had clothes and we were fed. I also credit my teammates’ families that helped drive me to the rink and clear a path on the runway for me to make it; those families are also the real heroes.
About the Ontario Hockey Association
The Ontario Hockey Association (OHA) was founded on November 27, 1890, and is the governing body for the majority of Junior and Senior hockey in the Province of Ontario. The OHA is a Member Partner of the Ontario Hockey Federation which is one of thirteen Provincial and Regional Branches of Hockey Canada.
It is comprised of three Junior hockey leagues and two Senior hockey leagues: Junior A – Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior B – Greater Ontario Junior Hockey League; Junior C – Provincial Junior Hockey League, Senior –Allan Cup Hockey (AAA) andOntario Elite Hockey League(AA). For the 2024-25 season, these five leagues encompass 125 teams.
The objectives of the OHA are to foster and encourage the sport of amateur hockey, to conduct competition in the various categories established, to determine teams for entry into the inter-branch competitions that may be provided by Hockey Canada, and to provide for the affiliation of other hockey organizations.
The OHA provides administrative resources, coordinates programs, services and events for hockey participants and provides support to various Development Programs for coaches, officials, trainers and players, Safety and Risk Management Issues and offers resources for Harassment and Abuse education.
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For more information or to set up an interview, please contact:
Chris McCleary
General Manager, Operations & Marketing
Ontario Hockey Association
