© Zachary Hamlet

William Douglas has been writing The Color of Hockey blog since 2012. Douglas joined NHL.com in 2019 and writes about people of color in the sport. Today, he profiles the Hockey Players of Color Movement Summer Camp, held July 26-28 at Invisalign Arena, the Carolina Hurricanes practice facility.

Sergio Becom, who was a camper last year, felt both exhausted and exhilarated after recently serving as a counselor at the Hockey Players of Color (HPOC) Movement Summer Camp in Morrisville, North Carolina.

“It’s amazing to see all these kids from various ethnic backgrounds coming together at a camp and getting exposure they wouldn’t usually have,” said Becom, a 15-year-old forward for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Under-16 A team.

Almost 50 players from North and South Carolina, other parts of the United States, and Canada participated in the camp held from July 26-28 at Invisalign Arena, which is the Hurricanes’ practice facility.

The event was presided over by the HPOC (Hockey Players of Color) Movement, a 2020 established nonprofit organization devoted to spotlighting and advancing players of color with the goal of diversifying the sport. The Hurricanes and the Carolina Amateur Hockey Association also hosted the event, with backing from USA Hockey.

The goal of the camp, now in its second year, is to introduce more children of color from the Carolinas and beyond to hockey, through a weekend filled with both on-ice and off-ice activities.

“Grant Vallier, a 13-year-old forward from Charlotte, said that it unites many people and commemorates the significant presence of players of color in hockey.”

© Zachary Hamlet

When not practicing or scrimmaging on the Invisalign ice, the players engaged in off-ice conditioning, played ball hockey or soccer, or participated in discussions about pathways in hockey.

“HPOC Movement founder and CEO Jazmine Miley pointed out the vast array of opportunities in hockey that extend beyond playing on a AAA team to reach one’s goals. She mentioned the option of attending prep school. She also emphasized that the NHL, while a common dream, is not the only path to professional play. This is a fact often overlooked by both parents and kids, as the prevailing belief is that the NHL is the only route to success,” Miley said.

Over the weekend, campers at the camp which Hendrix, the son of Canadian filmmaker Kwame Damon Mason, attended, viewed two hockey documentaries, “Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future” and “Ice Queens”. Both documentaries were directed by Mason.

Hurricanes defenseman Jalen Chatfield, who on June 14 signed a three-year contract worth $9 million (with an average annual value of $3 million) to continue his tenure in Carolina, also paid them a visit.

“Regardless of your color, witnessing someone who engages in what you love doing, especially when they perform at the highest level, can be very motivating,” said Chatfield.

Brad Hoffman, a former CAHA board member and the chair of its diversity, equity, and inclusion committee, is credited by Miley for initiating the concept of the camp.

“Hoffman stated, “Our sport is mostly comprised of white males. I believe there’s a necessity for us to diversify and attempt to make some changes.”

“I believe it starts from the top, where visibility is crucial. Furthermore, your actions and deeds must carry significance, followed by a consistent follow-through.”

Hoffman reached out to Miley, who he learned about from HPOC Movement participating in the Amerigol LATAM Cup, and spoke with Stephanie Jackson, USA Hockey’s director of diversity and inclusion, about doing something in the Raleigh area.

“Indeed, the rest is a matter of history,” stated Jackson. “We at USA Hockey facilitated this collaboration between the HPOC Movement and the affiliate. As a result, it seemed only appropriate that we agreed to provide the bulk of the funding for this.”

“Last year, we financed the entire inaugural weekend,” said Jackson. “This year, we collaborated with CAHA to secure sponsors. The Hurricanes and several local organizations have generously contributed funds. This initiative was originally proposed by an affiliate. We’re pleased that the relationship between CAHA and the HPOC Movement continues to be strong.”

Cassidhe Wozniak is another example. She previously played as a forward for the women’s hockey team at Worcester State University, which is part of NCAA Division III. At the camp, Wozniak served as a counselor, rigorously training attendees on the ice.

“She said, “I was conducting a drill. I queried the children if they were interested in playing 1-on-1 against the coaches. Their excitement was palpable as they were eager to showcase their skills and prove their proficiency.”

“Wozniak said, ‘At the end of the camp, they’re all high-fiving us, expressing their excitement to see us again next year.'”

“I plan on going back, too.”