Any type of NHL game in Mexico would represent a massive stride in his league's effort to reach Latino fans in general. There are NHL fans who think Scott Gomez, born in Alaska from Mexican and Columbian parents, was the first player of Hispanic heritage to play in the NHL. In 2008, the Rangers traded Montoya to the Arizona Coyotes, and he went on to win three of five games. Just last week, the Coyotes announced the formation of a Hispanic advisory board. The Puerto Rico Ice Rangers are attempting to bring ice hockey to the next level as a sport in Puerto Rico. Since then, hockey has progressed greatly. The Kenai River Brown Bears started play in the league. Bruins sweep their way into Central Division Finals. Carey Price may be the main net-minder in Quebec, but if injury or poor performance occurs, thats where Montoya comes in. by The Robertson Cup Championship is a playoff series held at the end of the NAHL season. Everybody knew who Scott Gomez was in the Mexican hockey environment, and everybody knew he had Mexican roots. Similarly, the Los Angeles Kings have extended efforts to Latino-heavy communities in Southern California and beyond. The Coyotes serve as the perfect case study for this, as they have both the need for fans and a huge potential market in Arizonas Hispanic population. All fans attending will receive Kraken-themed papel picados and learn more about this traditional form of Mexican folk art. [26], 200910 season: The Janesville Jets were awarded an expansion franchise. 1 overall pick in the 2016 NHL Draft and winning rookie of the year honors for the 2016-17 season. Draisaitl was selected third overall by the Edmonton Oil Kings in the 2014 NHL draft. Cloud Blizzard rebranded as the St. The son of a Mexican American father and Colombian mother, Gomez heard a few disparaging remarks while coming up through the junior and professional ranks, but the occasions were rare. Internationally, Guerin represented the United States in the Olympics in 1998, 2002 and 2006, and participated in two Ice Hockey World Championships. .skin { background-color: #da2662; background-repeat:no-repeat; background-position: top center; background-attachment: fixed;}.row { background-color: #da2662;}.template__content { background-color: #da2662;}.template--one-column__content--one { background-color: #da2662;}.btn-primary { color: #ffffff; background-color: #8A1538 ; border-color: #8A1538 ;}.btn-primary:hover { color: #ffffff; background-color: #f7195c ; border-color: #f7195c ;}.btn-secondary { color: #ffffff; background-color: #FF6720 ; border-color: #FF6720 ;}.btn-secondary:hover { color: #ffffff; background-color: #FF854D ; border-color: #FF854D ;}.cms-image__image { margin-top: -5px;}.marketing-template .marketing-section-intro__title { color: #ffffff;}.marketing-template .marketing-section-intro__description { color: #8d193b;}.marketing-template .marketing-section-intro__subtitle {color: #ffffff;}.marketing-template .leading-dots {color: #000;}.marketing-template .cms-wysiwyg p {color: #000;max-width: 100%;}.marketing-template .cms-wysiwyg h2 { color: #ffffff;}.marketing-template .cms-wysiwyg h5 { color: #ffffff;}.marketing-template .cms-wysiwyg h3 { color: #ffffff;}.marketing-template .cms-wysiwyg h4 { color: #ffffff;}. Percentage of Active NHL Players by . In addition, Andong Misha Song was the first native-born Chinese player drafted in the NHL. GLENDALE, Ariz. Scott Gomez grew up among the diverse cultures that amalgamate around Anchorage, Alaska. All rights reserved. This number is likely to have increased or decreased in the intervening years. Among his continued efforts to recruit fans, Montoya attended an exhibition soccer game last September at Dallas' Cotton Bowl featuring Mexico's two most popular teams -- Club America and Chivas de Guadalajara. In the 2010-11 season, he amassed nine victories for the New York Islanders, who had a subpar season. The top 60 finishers from the Latin America swing will move on to the North America swing, with additional spots being furnished via a mid-season qualifying tournament as well as players from PGA . [42] The Kansas City Scouts were originally granted another season of dormancy,[43][44] but were instead sold and relocated to Amarillo as the Amarillo Wranglers to begin play for the 202122 season. This includes both skaters and goaltenders. Gomez became the first Latino player to win the Calder Memorial Trophy (the NHL's Rookie of the Year award), and went on to play for 17 years, for a variety of teams, including the Devils,. The NHL and teams across the league have made big pushes to tap a massive potential fan base and develop Latino players in the United States and Mexico. Artemi Panarin signed a seven-year, $81.5 million contract with the New York Rangers in 2019. He is the eighth player in NHL history to score 700 goals. Al Montoya, Max Pacioretty, and Alec Martinez are three of the few Latino players in the NHL, and they are the only ones left. Some Sharks fans are well-versed in other cultures. The Rio Grande Valley Killer Bees purchased the Wenatchee Wild franchise. "It's always been a lifelong dream to play in the NHL . Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images, Kraken win 1st playoff series, oust champion Avs, Bergeron undecided on future after B's stunner, Panthers in awe after ousting 'unbelievable' Bruins, 'Resilient' Oilers shake off bad break, oust Kings, 'Penalties hurt,' as Devils let chance to clinch slip, Leafs win in OT, take 1st playoff series since 2004, Stars finish off Wild for spot in West semifinals, Wyshynski's picks for every series in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Keys to the offseason for NHL teams, including free agency plans, How to improve officiating in the Stanley Cup playoffs, Biggest celebrity fans for all 16 Stanley Cup playoff teams, Ranking the top 50 players in the Stanley Cup playoffs. Fritz Pollard, an African-American football player, was the first African-American to play in the NFL in 1920. The NHL is a melting pot of cultures. This page is not available in other languages. Mexican players, in addition to representing an exciting opportunity for the NBA and NHL, should be given the necessary support. For example, the popularity of basketball exploded in China after the Houston Rockets drafted Yao Ming. From its beginning in 1975, the NAHL was primarily a 612-team league based in the Midwest, known as the Great Lakes Junior Hockey League and changed the name to the North American Hockey League in 1984. Who will win each matchup, and in how many games? His Irish-American father found it equally important for the Guerin kids to visit their mom's homeland. The Boston Bruins are the NHLs top team with a total of 20 Americans, followed by the Montreal Canadians with 12 Americans, and the Los Angeles Kings with 10 Americans. From Steve Carell's Bruins fandom to Justin Bieber and the Leafs to Lil' Jon and the Golden Knights, here's a group of celebs in each team's corner. While there are not as many Hispanic players in the NHL as there are players from other ethnicities, the number of Hispanic players in the league is gradually increasing. Traverse City North Stars franchise purchased by the Soo Eagles and joined the league from Northern Ontario Junior Hockey League. Over the last three decades, the NHL's expansion into the American Sun Belt has served to diversify the league's geography and fan profile. [35] Aston Rebels relocated and renamed as the Philadelphia Rebels. Former Stars, Coyotes players teach skating, passing, goaltending skills. We finally have the right person in place to connect with the Hispanic community and build a genuine relationship. LATAM CUP ATTENDEES INSPIRED BY 'WILLIE' DOCUMENTARY. "Representation is everything. Some of the most notable names include Johnny Boychuk, Michael Frolik, and Jiri Hudler. Andrei Vasilevskiy won the Vezina trophy as the NHLs best goalie in 2018-19. Players are identified as an All-Star if they were selected for the All-Star game at any time in their career. The New Mexico Mustangs joined the South Division and played at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Listen to the Spanish Language broadcaster for the Florida Panthers call a goal. Fans are invited to stop by the Kraken Community Iceplex Sept. 15 to Oct. 15 to check out exhibits informing all of us about NHL figures from the Latinx and Hispanic community. The Dawson Creek Rage joined the West Division and played at EnCana Events Centre in Dawson Creek, British Columbia. In 2007, he became the first player in modern history to score 65 goals in a calendar year. In 2004, Alex Ovechkin was the first player selected in the NHL draft. Take some time to get to know Team Colombia, as they take us on their journey from inline hockey to ice hockey. The number of Latino players has increased across the NHL, minor leagues and colleges in recent years, including Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, Al Montoya and Raffi Torres. MONTOYA HELPING STARS CONNECT WITH HISPANIC COMMUNITY. The Albert Lea Thunder relocate to become the Amarillo Bulls at joined the South Division out of the Amarillo Civic Center in Amarillo, Texas. In fact, Guerin was the first to do so and is the first general manager of Hispanic and Latinx descent. As of the 2019-2020 season, there are a total of 23 Mexican players in the NHL. The Puerto Rico Mens National Team is participating in an international ice hockey tournament for the first time. The National Hockey League (NHL) evolved from a mono-ethnic and primarily Canadian professional athletic league to span North America. Former Captain of the Montreal Canadiens, Alternate Captain for the Vegas Golden Knights, and member of the 2014 US Olympic Team. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. This success is attributed in large part to the hard work of Mexican hockey coaches. The Minnesota Wilderness joined the league from the Superior International Junior Hockey League by purchasing dormant St. Louis Bandits franchise. [47] The NAHL approved the relocation of the Wichita Falls Warriors to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma to become the Oklahoma Warriors. Anthony Sanchez from Southwest Detroit joined us for our Street Hockey in the D at Home program. The most common ethnicity among hockey players is White, which makes up 78.0% of all hockey players. The NAHL is one of the oldest junior hockey leagues in the United States and is headquartered in Addison, Texas.[2]. Several other countries, including Switzerland, Germany, and Slovakia, have also risen to prominence. Made his NHL debut on April 1, 2009 for the Phoenix Coyotes. In addition to black and white players, other races and ethnicities represented in the NHL include players of Asian, Latino, and Middle Eastern descent. At the Winter Olympics, World Championships, and Pan American Games, Mexican athletes have won a total of 33 medals. [3][4] The league's all-time leading scorer is Ryan Fultz who tallied 246 points in four seasons. Fast forward to the present day and hockeys global presence has increased tenfold. A game in Mexico would most certainly need to involve some combination of Matthews and the Coyotes, Kings, Stars or any other franchise with a relatable bond to the Latino community. The NHL debuted its Spanish-language website just two years ago and celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month for the first time in 2020. Latino hockey players have had a difficult time making it to the NHL. Eleven of the NHLs 229 players are from the Dominican Republic, including the majority of those who play in the league. Every September, the NHL and its Clubs pay tribute to the heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino people with special events and programming. "It'd be awesome to literally play a hockey game in Mexico and just see what happens.". Anthony Sanchez from Southwest Detroit took part in our Street Hockey in the D at home program over the Summer. The National Hockey League celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month in honor of Hispanic and Latinx communities who have contributed to the development of the game. Cale Makar, the 2019 Calder Trophy winner as the leagues top rookie, was named the top prospect in the league. In 2019 alone, Mexico City hosted events such as the PGA Tour, the NBA, the NFL, UFC and Formula 1. More are on the way. Players, coaches can relate to what NHL's first Black player went through. The number of Latino players has increased across the NHL, minor leagues and colleges in recent years, including Auston Matthews, Max Pacioretty, Al Montoya and Raffi Torres. All Rights Reserved. They are a testament to the fact that hockey is a sport for everyone, and that anyone can succeed if they put their mind to it. Perez is paving his own path for others to follow, volunteering with the Devils community outreach program and interacting with Hispanic and Latino fans during his college playing days. He has not played in an NHL game this season, as he has not played in the minors. January 1, 2023. A large-scale arena dedicated to hockey does not currently exist in Mexico. [1] It is the only Tier II junior league sanctioned by USA Hockey, and acts as an alternative for those who would not or did not make the roster of a team in the Major Junior Canadian Hockey League (CHL) nor Tier I United States Hockey League (USHL). Should a facility eventually meeet NHL standards, such a venue would need to be located in an ideal market that can draw appropriate interest. Markets with high Latino populations such as Phoenix, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami have reaped the benefits. This years NHL Hispanic Heritage Month celebration will feature a variety of special events, including heritage nights, player appearances, and community outreach initiatives. The last time Toronto won a playoff series was 2004. The highest-ranked player in the 247Sports state rankings is Lake Wales wide receiver/defensive back Carlos Mitchell at No. Mexico now has a national hockey teamand a professional hockey league, and its womens team has been improving dramatically in recent years. Enter Matthews, last season's top goal scorer whom the NHL can boast as one of its biggest stars regardless of heritage -- his mother, Ema, hails from the Mexican state of Sonora. In his NHL debut, Barkov is the youngest player to score a goal since Don Raleigh (17 years, 147 days) in 1943. Founded in 2009, The Hockey Writers is a premier destination for news and information on everything hockey. Its a sign of his durability, which will be needed in the uber-competitive Western Conference. There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on a number of factors, including the countrys population, the number of hockey players in the country, and the countrys hockey league(s). One of the most famous Hispanic hockey players is Manny Malhotra. "It would be great to bring hockey to Mexico in some way.". 201920 season: The NAHL approved of two expansion teams: the Maine Nordiques in Lewiston, Maine, and the New Mexico Ice Wolves in Albuquerque, New Mexico. I didn't see anyone like me growing up.". As a result, he will almost certainly finish his career with the Pittsburgh Penguins. For the defunct professional league, see, Learn how and when to remove this template message, USA Hockey National Team Development Program, Superior International Junior Hockey League, "NAHL releases 2022-23 regular season schedule", "Contact Us - North American Hockey League - NAHL", "North American Hockey League [1984-2019] history and statistics at hockeydb.com", "NAHL releases 2021-22 regular season schedule", "NAHL team in Lewiston, Maine approved for the 2019-20 season", "NAHL team in Maryland approved for the 2018-19 season", "Anchorage Wolverines junior hockey team hires a coach and plans to move into Sullivan Arena", "NAHL team in El Paso, Texas approved for 2021-22 season", "NAHL team in New Mexico approved for the 2019-20 season", "NAHL team in Rochester, New York approved for the 2023-24 season", "NAHL team in Hooksett, NH approved for the 2023-24 season", "North American Hockey League [1984-2015] history and statistics", "NAHL announces relocation of Brookings Blizzard to St. In February 1992, Bill Guerin became the first Hispanic player in the history of the NHL when he made his debut for the New Jersey Devils. All Rights Reserved. Links in this section are to external sites. Figures are updated after each completed NHL regular season. Pastrnak was named the Honda NHL All-Star Games Most Valuable Player for the 2020 season after leading the league in goals (50), assists (50), and points (102). [48], 2023-24 Season: NAHL approved a new team in the East Division to be located in Rochester, New York that will be known as the "Rochester Junior Americans" ("Jr. Amerks"), a nod to Rochester's American Hockey League (AHL) team, the Rochester Americans ("Amerks"), a minor league affiliate of the Buffalo Sabres. This article is about the junior league in the United States. We have to stop relying on people wanting to choose hockey on their own. Despite the successes of the Mexican national ice hockey team, there are still many obstacles to overcome. With at least 100 points, he became the 11th United States-born player in NHL history, trailing only Patrick Kane. Hockey Player Statistics By Race The most common ethnicity among hockey players is White, which makes up 72.8% of all hockey players. 201617 season: The league announced the continued expansion of the East Division by adding the Northeast Generals of Attleboro, Massachusetts. Gomez scored 756 points (181 goals, 575. More recently, the Stars hired retired goalie Al Montoya, the first Cuban American player in the NHL, as their director of community outreach with the specific goal of engaging potential Latino fans. The NHL and NHLPA are celebrating the Hispanic and Latinx communities and their contributions to growing the game. Where do McDavid, Matthews, Hughes and Oettinger rank? However, according to a 2016 report, there were approximately 60 Mexican hockey players in the NHL. Although the Toronto Maple Leafs have the most Canadians (12), the Vancouver Canucks have the least (one). Perhaps Arizona becoming a hotbed of Hispanic hockey will help the reverse the franchises well documented attendance woes. Gomez wasn't the first NHL's player of Hispanic heritage -- Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who's part Nicaraguan, debuted with the Devils in 1991-92 -- but he is perhaps the most. The NHL might have Song waiting in the wings to be their Chinese superstar, but the NHL has had their fair share of recognizable superstars of Latino descent. Within the league itself, individual clubs have taken up efforts to connect with Spanish-speaking fans in the U.S. and beyond. "That was fantastic," Montoya said. Matt Nieto, a California-born player drafted by the San Jose Sharks, was the first player from his state to be selected in the draft. And the 10-year veteran has proven he can hold his own on the ice, as he has career record of 63-46-22, a 2.61 goals against average, a save percentage of .909, and seven career shutouts. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Vlkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, Vtejte na NHL.com, oficilnch strnkch National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficilnych strnkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League, STANLEY CUP TAKES SPOTLIGHT AT AMERIGOL LATAM CUP. [citation needed] Chuck Robertson was the owner of the Paddock Pool Saints when they won a record seven straight NAHL championships from 1976 to 1983. Its going to be a long time before the Winter Olympics includes matchups with teams such as Mexico, Colombia and Brazil, but that doesnt mean the groundwork hasnt already been laid. [8][36] The Coulee Region Chill were sold and relocated as the Chippewa Steel in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, and the Philadelphia Rebels became the Jamestown Rebels in Jamestown, New York. In his NHL debut, Kaprizov became the first player to accomplish the feat when he scored three points, including an overtime goal.

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