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Welcome to the first edition of our newsletter, “Carnegie Corner.” Be on the lookout for it every other week as we share pertinent news and information related to making the great sport of hockey more inclusive and welcoming to all.
I am pleased with the progress we have made since the inception of The Carnegie Initiative (The CI) two years ago. My father understood the importance of laying a foundation of timely but timeless values.
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We are continuing his traditions through our annual summit, along with other events and programs such as our educational grants, the prestigious Herbert Carnegie Trailblazer Awards, media exposure, and grassroots efforts. Also, in the coming weeks and months, we will add more content and valuable resources to our website.
Most encouraging to me personally is how I have heard about and met so many fine people who are doing great work in this space. We believe, at The CI, that we can play a pivotal role of uniting everyone in a manner that will make our collective work more impactful. This will ultimately result in creating substantive, sustainable, and authentic change.
I hope you enjoy “Carnegie Corner.” I invite you to share it within your circle of colleagues and friends. Like Herb Carnegie’s Future Aces Philosophy, this is meant to be a living document; and so, we look forward to receiving your helpful and inspiring submissions. Email us at info@carnegieinitiative.com
Warm Regards,
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Bernice Carnegie
Co-Chair
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Whitecloud’s name to be added to Stanley Cup
It was perfect timing for Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Zach Whitecloud to hoist the Stanley Cup on June 13. The moment took place as Canada celebrates National Indigenous Month.
Whitecloud grew up in the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation outside Brandon, Manitoba. He becomes the latest Indigenous player to have his name inscribed on the NHL’s championship trophy. Many other Indigenous players have won a Stanley Cup over the years. The list, courtesy of Hockey Indigenous, includes: Clarence Abel, George Armstrong, Joe Benoit, Craig Berube (as a coach), Theo Fleury, Grant Fuhr (a CI Board member), Dwight King, Jamie Leach, Reggie Leach, Norm Maracle, Jordan Nolan, T.J. Oshie, Pierre Pilote, Chris Simon, and Bryan Trottier.
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The CI’s Co-Chair Shares Vision at Memorial Cup
The CI’s co-chair Bryant McBride attended the 2023 Memorial Cup in Kamloops, British Columbia. He shared the vision and work being done by The CI with those on hand at a fanfest during Memorial Day Weekend.
“There’s no more important sport in the world to play for kids of color than hockey,” he stated during a TV interview. “And, that’s because the first thing you do when you get out there is fall down, and the first thing you learn is to get back up.” Watch interview
| McBride (second from right), a former defenseman who played collegiate hockey at West Point and Trinity College, also participated in a ceremonial puck drop prior to a game between the Quebec Remparts and Peterborough Petes. (Photo: © Candice Ward/CHL) |
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Call Them "Doctor"
Several members of The CI’s “family,” were recognized with honorary degrees during spring commencement ceremonies.
Two CI Board members were bestowed honorary doctorates in May. Willie O’Ree was recognized by the University of New Brunswick. Ted Nolan was presented his honorary degree during graduation proceedings at St. Thomas University in Fredericton, New Brunswick.
“Life’s going to throw you many curves, and ups and downs but you just got to stay true to who you are, believe in who you are, and enjoy life,” Nolan shared with the school’s graduating class.
Bob Dawson, the recipient of The CI’s Lifetime Achievement Award at our annual summit this past January, received an honorary doctorate in Civil Law from his alma mater, Saint Mary’s University in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
| Bob Dawson was awarded an honorary doctorate on May 19, 2023 from Saint Mary's University during a ceremony held on its Halifax campus. (Photo: Courtesy of Saint Mary's University) |
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Josh Pauls, a motivational speaker and member of The CI’s Board of Directors, earned a Gold Medal as the captain of Team USA at the World Para Ice Hockey Championships held in Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan recently. It marked the record-setting third straight, and the sixth overall, A-Pool World Championship for the USA.
(Photos: © Erica Perreaux/International Paralympic Committee)
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CI: How did this Gold Medal compare to the many others you’ve won?
JP: I think every gold medal is unique because of the story of the team and how I remember each of them, but to cap off an undefeated season for the second time since I've been on the team with a World Championship was incredible. The atmosphere in Moose Jaw was great and it was a ton of fun to play and win in the fashion we did.
CI: Your coach David Hoff gave a shout out to you and a few of your teammates for the effort on the penalty kill that was vital in your win over Canada in the Gold Medal game. Why do you think you perform so well in these types of high-pressure situations?
JP: I think we perform so well in those situations because we are in them all the time. In club hockey games against each other we're competing and we do so in practice as well. We're comfortable being in these situations because we've seen them before and we know what kind of momentum a PK or even a shorthanded goal can give a team and having Jack (Wallace) and Declan (Farmer) connect on one was great to see.
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CI: Was there a particular instance in your life you recall as the moment you fell in love with hockey?
JP: The first time I got on the ice as a part of a team, the Woodbridge Warriors, was when I really fell in love with the game. It was freeing being on the ice and getting to play and enjoy a game I had only ever watched.
CI: What are some of the most important lessons you take from competing in hockey and apply them to the rest of your life?
JP: I think the most important lessons I've taken from hockey and applied to my life are that there's no substitute for the work you put into anything and also how to be an advocate for myself and others in the disabled community. Hockey has taught me how to find a solution where others only see problems and that will help me the rest of my life for sure.
CI: As a Board Member, what do you see as the most immediate challenges The CI must focus on to see more progress in making the sport more inclusive and welcoming to all.
JP: I think the most immediate challenges the CI must focus on to make the sport more inclusive and welcoming are finding ways to continue to highlight stories and individuals doing the work to tackle these challenges and helping people understand why the sport being inclusive and welcoming for all is a benefit to everyone in it. From diversity of opinion and perspective to innovation, hockey has so much room to grow the more we can welcome anyone that wants to be involved in hockey.
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Video
“Beyond Their Years: The Incredible Legacies of Herb Carnegie and Buck O'Neil,” a spectacular new documentary, produced by The CI co-chair Bryant McBride, airs across Canada on TSN on June 29, 2023. The film 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.
Watch trailer.
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By the Numbers
Evidence of growth in the popularity of women’s hockey can be seen through numbers related to the 2023 Women’s World Ice Hockey Championship in Brampton, Ontario in April.
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Calendar
June 27, 2023 - Private premiere of "Beyond Their Years" at Hockey Hall of Fame (Toronto).
June 29, 2023 - The national television debut in Canada of “Beyond Their Years” on TSN at 9 pm ET.
January 2024 - The CI Summit in Toronto, Ontario.
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Help Blaze the Trail
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 donation today.
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Bozek - a two-time Olympian, two-time NCAA champion, two-time NWHL All-Star, and Isobel Cup champion with Buffalo Beauts - retired this spring. |
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