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It’s been a wonderful month for me personally.
I continue to receive so many nice notes and comments regarding The CI Summit 2024 that we held in Toronto in 2024. The Summit provides great inspiration and motivation for all of us working to make the great game of hockey more inclusive and welcoming. In this edition of the “Carnegie Corner,” you can see some of that feedback, watch insightful interviews with several of the attendees, and enjoy the great piece TSN aired about our two-day conference.
Two weeks ago, it was an honor and privilege to reunite with my family at the Toronto Six! The ownership team that included me, along with former front office staff, players, coaches and others gathered for a special night in which we received our championship rings. We go down in history as the last team to win a PHF title and the coveted Isobel Cup. All of us take great pride in what we achieved and how we helped grow women’s hockey.
I am encouraged by the progress made in many facets of the game and its culture. Yet, I recognize that there is still much work to be done. It is vital that we remain patient, persevere, and continue the work needed to ensure that further growth is lasting and sustainable.
Thank you for your continued support of The CI and our role as a societal game-changer working tirelessly for acceptance and inclusion in hockey.
Warm Regards,
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Bernice Carnegie
Co-Chair
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The CI Summit 2024 Update
Survey Says
The CI Summit 2024 post-event survey confirms that the hundreds of attendees (in-person and virtual) walked away uplifted from our third annual summit, titled “For the Love of the Game.” Their feedback indicated that much was accomplished through the panel discussions, conversations, and networking over the two days. A sampling of the survey results and attendee comments include:
- 93% were satisfied with their experience
- 92% would recommend this event to a friend or colleague
- 90% believe The CI achieved its goal of advancing the conversation and identifying action items that will make hockey more inclusive and welcoming to all
- “The event was first class overall from the venue to the speakers.”
- “Excellent line-up of speakers with relevant perspectives.”
- “It was a wonderful opportunity to network and learn!”
Where to Go From Here?
Several attendees sat down in front of our camera and shared thoughts on how to build on the progress being made to make hockey more inclusive.
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TSN Embedded
Alex Cairns of TSN’s “The Shift with Kayla Grey” was among the media who attended the Summit in Toronto. Here is her feature about experiencing The CI Summit 2024.
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Toronto Six Celebrate Isobel Cup Victory
The former members of the Toronto Six who won the Isobel Cup last spring gathered at the Weston Golf and Country Club in Etobicoke, Ontario on February 22, 2024 to celebrate their championship. The gathering included ownership, players, staff, as well as a number of legends from women’s hockey who celebrated the legacy of the Six.
"It is always great to see excellence rewarded. The entire T6 organization earned this amazing win and their place in history," shared Bryant McBride, a member of the first ownership group comprised of BIPOC investors in the women’s hockey league’s history.
McBride and fellow CI Co-Chair Bernice Carnegie along with CI Board members Angela James and Ted Nolan and others joined the ownership group of the Six in 2022. The co-owners were in attendance for the special night as championship rings were handed out and the Six’s place in women’s hockey history was honored.
“It was a night to remember. Sami Jo Small (former team President) eloquently shared and recognized the history of women in hockey and the incredible trailblazers from past to present. John and Jojo Boyton (former PHF Governors and Six Co-Owners) graciously spoke to the impactful journey and collaboration it took to bring us to the present PWHL,” commented Carnegie.
“The icing on the cake was the ring ceremony. My congratulations to the Toronto Six team for their efforts,” she added. “I am proud to say I was part of this amazing organization and I will cherish the memories each time I wear my championship ring!”
Toronto won the Isobel Cup with a thrilling overtime win last May to capture the last Isobel Cup title in the history of the Pro Hockey Federation (PHF). The PHF, first known as the NWHL, was founded in 2015 as the first pro women’s hockey league that paid salaries to players. The league was acquired shortly after the Six’s championship win by the Mark Walter Group who formed one pro women’s hockey league, the new Professional Women’s Hockey League that launched in January.
|  | Bryant McBride and Bernice Carnegie sporting their Isobel Cup Championship Rings. |
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"Beyond Their Years" Tour During Black History Month
Numerous screenings of the award-winning documentary “Beyond Their Years'' were held throughout February to celebrate Black History Month. The film, produced by The CI Co-Chair Bryant McBride, tells the compelling story of parallel lives lived by sports and social justice icons Herb Carnegie (hockey) and Buck O’Neil (baseball), who were excluded, because of their race, from competing at the highest professional leagues of the sports they loved. Instead of becoming angry and bitter, they channeled the injustice they both experienced into pioneering work that made their respective sports, and the world, more inclusive. The 48-minute film ties together their legacies in a verité style that teaches, heals, and humanizes.
Following each of the showings were moderated panel conversations featuring a variety of individuals including McBride, Bernice Carnegie, Rane Carnegie, and others.
“It’s not enough to just watch the film because it serves as a vehicle to spark the types of hard, yet respectful, conversations needed to make real sustainable change,” McBride stated. “It is imperative that we follow in the footsteps of social justice icons like Herb Carnegie and Buck O’Neil and take actionable steps to make this a more inclusive world we live in.”
Events last month were held at numerous venues including: Carnegie of Homestead Music Hall (Pittsburgh, Pa.), Fabian Theater (Paterson, N.J.), Isabel Bader Theatre, Victoria University (Toronto), Gene Siskel Film Center (Chicago), Northwestern University (Evanston, Ill.), and Grunin Center for the Arts (Ocean County, N.J.).
|  | "Beyond Their Years" event at the Gene Siskel Film Center in downtown Chicago on Feb. 26, 2024. |
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Angela James received The CI’s Lifetime Achievement Award in January as recognition for her more than 40 years in the game as a coach, official, player, co-owner, and general manager. A member of The CI’s Board of Directors, she is regarded as the “first superstar of modern women’s hockey.” The Toronto native was a member of the Canadian Women’s Hockey team for a decade during which time she remarkably won four World Gold Medal and four International Pacific Rim championships. She also became the first and only Black woman to be named captain of the Canadian Women’s team. In 2010, she was one of two of the first women inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
This interview has been edited for length and brevity.
CI: What did it mean to you to receive The CI’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the Summit in January?
AJ: Well, the timing of that award was extra special with having the vibe that was in Toronto for the All-Star Week. And, also having The Summit in Toronto where the celebration kind of went all over the news. The number of the congratulatory messages I received was just outstanding.
But, when you hear the words lifetime achievement for myself, that not only says I’m getting old but it certainly kind of puts everything together of what I've done in our great sport over the past 40-50 years. You know whether it be, a parent in hockey, coaching in hockey, officiating in hockey, playing in hockey, instructing, guest speaking, everything to do with hockey. And, the funny thing is that I'm still doing a lot of those things right now.
CI: Have you ever thought about what a young Angela James could accomplish in today’s new world of women’s hockey?
AJ: Well, with the dedication and the commitment to the game and to individual skill development is phenomenal in terms of the athletes that are playing hockey today. The ones that are sacrificing and making themselves the best that they can be, I think the buy-in is just phenomenal. So, if I had those kinds of opportunities to elevate my game even higher that would just be phenomenal for a young Angela James. But, for an old Angela James right now, I don't have the energy. I'm still playing now and it's taking every bit of energy to get back into it and play five times a week. But, my body's not cooperating. I think I abused it a little bit too much when I was younger.
|  | Angela James (front) takes a selfie with (L-R) Chi-Yin Tse, Marian Jacko, and Ted Nolan at The CI Summit 2024 in Toronto. |
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CI: What do you think the state of women’s hockey will look like five years from now?
AJ: Well, it's not just women's hockey. I think it's hockey in general. Both men's (and women’s) hockey. At the amateur level, I think that it's still a game that needs to really be taken a look at. It’s gotten a little bit out of control in terms of affordability and accessibility; access to great programs. That, to me, is going to be key for the success of hockey for years to come. We have to make it more inviting and inclusive and affordable. If we can get a handle on that so the parents aren't having to work an extra job or two just to keep their kids in hockey. I think that's a direction that we really have to pay attention to. I don't think it's just about, ‘here's a set of equipment and free clinic.’ It’s got to be long term, it’s got to be buy-in programs for longevity. Hockey's a great game and so many people love the game. And we really have to embrace our immigrants because they're increasing our populations and we need to keep making sure that it's inclusive so that they can buy into this great game. I also think that at the professional level it's just such a business, and I really think that if we're going to continue for the women's game that we have to have investors. And, not just even at the pro level, but corporations that are investing in amateur sports and continue to offer sponsorship and programs within the different communities.
CI: Was there a particular instance in your life you recall as the moment you fell in love with hockey?
AJ: Yeah. On the ultrasound with a stick in my hand. (laughs).
I grew up in Community Housing and we didn't have a lot of programs or a lot of ice time. But, one thing we did have is outdoor ice hockey. And, the kids in our neighbourhood, we played ball hockey constantly every day. So, I would wake up in the morning, I would have my bowl of cereal and my mom would say, ‘out you go,’ because that's what they did. We would go out and would play hockey. I just loved hockey right from the beginning. When the boys would let me play and once they started letting me play, besides goalie, I just continued to play and love the game.
CI: What are the most immediate challenges The CI must focus on to see more progress in making the sport more inclusive and welcoming to all?
AJ: I think that The Carnegie Initiative needs to not be afraid to hit issues right on and try to embrace it and recommend (solutions). I know that we're not all doctors and lawyers, but I really think that the true stories need to be told. I really think that we shouldn't try and sugarcoat anything. I really think that The Carnegie Initiative, through education and through The Summit, and hopefully mentorship, we can certainly try to embrace some of the diversity and discrimination that's out there, and lead people in different directions, more positive directions.
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Calendar
March 9, 2024 – Little NHL 50th Anniversary Gala and Induction into Hall of Fame (Markham, Ont.)
April 9, 2024 – Top 25 Women of Influence® Awards Luncheon (Toronto)
The CI Co-Chair Bernice Carnegie is among this year’s award recipients
May 3-5, 2024 – 2nd Annual Diversity in Sports Conference (Mississauga, Ont.)
May 24-June 2, 2024 – Memorial Cup (Saginaw, Mich.)
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Support The CI
The CI gratefully appreciates donations, large and small, that help us with our mission: “Work to ensure that hockey is inclusive, supportive, and welcoming to all.”
Please consider a tax-deductible donation today.
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