Fmr. Penguins D Trevor Daley Helps to Create Hockey Diversity Alliance

Former Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Trevor Daley has joined six other past and present NHLers of color to form the Hockey Diversity Alliance. The goal of the group is to rid the game of racism and intolerance and be a positive force not only in sport but in society as a whole. It also strives to inspire a new generation of players and fans.

Daley will be joined by Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, New Jersey Devils forward Wayne Simmonds, Philadelphia Flyers forward Chris Stewart, and recently retired NHLer Joel Ward on the executive committee. The group will be led by San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane and former NHLer Akim Aliu. The group is independent of the NHL but plans to work closely with the league to help rid the game of racism. 

We are proud to announce the formation of the Hockey Diversity Alliance 🏒 ✊🏾 pic.twitter.com/Z5g6BP2b4f

— Evander Kane (@evanderkane_9) June 8, 2020

“This is historic, players of color coming together like this, it’s never happened before,” Kane told TSN. “We couldn’t wait around any more. We’ve all had enough of this … We are united and we are going to demand change. We felt, why not us?”

Daley, 36, was a member of the Penguins back-to-back Stanley Cup Championship teams in 2016 and 2017. After being acquired from the Chicago Blackhawks early in the 2015-16 season, Daly went on to become a leader in the Penguins dressing room during both Cup runs. He had 11 goals and 30 assists in 109 regular-season games with the Penguins and two goals and nine assists in 36 playoff games. He signed a three-year deal with the Detroit Red Wings in July 2017.

Last week the usually reserved and quiet culture of the NHL used their platform to make some noise against racial inequality and police brutality. Even Penguins captain and superstar Sidney Crosby, who tends to veer away from controversy and politics publicly, posted a sincere and heartfelt message as Black Lives Matter protests stemming from the George Floyd murder took over not just the United States but the world. 

“What happened to George Floyd cannot be ignored,” Crosby said. “Racism that exists today in all forms is not acceptable. While I am not able to relate to the discrimination that black and minority communities face daily, I will listen and educate myself on how I can help make a difference.”