Willie O'Ree was the first hockey player to break the color barrier when he joined Boston in 1958. If the gang at Sports Dreams have their way that legacy will continue.
The nonprofit organization branches out to provide non-traditional sports for inner city kids, and hockey is in the mix.
The inaugural Black Ice Invitational is being held this weekend with inner city teams from Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C. meeting up to honor black pioneers of the game in a two day tournament. Friday's action is at the Jack Adams Recreation Center and Saturday's is at Clark Park.
"We give them opportunity to learn. A lot of kids didn't know about the
black hockey teams from back in the day in the early 1900s, and when
they found out that there was a black team back in the day, they were
eager to get on and learn the game themselves," said coach Marcus Norwood.
Boys and girls from four to 19 are participating, and each kid is making a piece of the game their own allowing for another path to sports success instead of limiting city kids to just football and basketball.
"A lot of times kids don't know the opportunities that are out there, and we're just trying to expose them. It's kind of difficult to get kids involved because they just don't know, but once they know they seem to love it. They enjoy it," Norwood said.
Will the Black Ice Invitational mean there will be more black faces in the NHL? That answer is far off, but at least players know that there is a path to follow.
Thursday, May 2 2013 8:25 PM EDT2013-05-03 00:25:47 GMT
Fix your swing? How about fix the swinger? That is the goal at Fox Hills with a brand new program called Omni Kinetics, the first of its kind in Michigan.
Fix your swing? How about fix the swinger? That is the goal at Fox Hills with a brand new program called Omni Kinetics, the first of its kind in Michigan.
Friday, February 22 2013 8:47 PM EST2013-02-23 01:47:23 GMT
You can see some potential future African-American hockey stars this weekend at the Black Ice Invitational. Inner city teams from Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C. are meeting up to honor black pioneers of the game.
You can see some potential future African-American hockey stars this weekend in Detroit at the Black Ice Invitational. Inner city teams from Michigan, Ohio and Washington, D.C. are meeting up to honor black pioneers of the game.
Wednesday, January 23 2013 4:08 PM EST2013-01-23 21:08:44 GMT
There is not supposed to be a lot of snow in the forecast, but they are making it in Rochester for the Sixth Annual Fire and Ice Festival, which kicks off this weekend.
There is not supposed to be a lot of snow in the forecast, but they are making it in Rochester for the Sixth Annual Fire and Ice Festival, which kicks off this weekend.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:40 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:40:48 GMT
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Nearly a hundred years ago, two girls from Detroit put a message in a bottle and threw it into the waters of the St. Clair River. Now that message is back on dry land after being found by a diver in 30 feet of water.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:20 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:20:12 GMT
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Detroit mayoral candidate Mike Duggan ended his campaign Wednesday and will not challenge an appeals court ruling that bars him from the August primary ballot.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 11:13 AM EDT2013-06-19 15:13:58 GMT
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
A search of a rural field in suburban Detroit has failed to turn up the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, an FBI agent announced Wednesday as authorities ended the dig.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:45 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:45:33 GMT
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Kid Rock has added an eighth date to his "$20 Best Night Ever" tour at DTE Energy Music Theatre. Officials say tickets for the Aug. 20 show will go on sale at 10 a.m. on June 22.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 9:22 AM EDT2013-06-19 13:22:54 GMT
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
FBI agents in suburban Detroit began a third day of digging Wednesday in the search for the remains of former Teamsters union leader Jimmy Hoffa, who disappeared 38 years ago.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 8:41 AM EDT2013-06-19 12:41:21 GMT
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Mike Duggan is expected to lay out his future plans Thursday, one day after an appeals court ruled that he doesn't meet Detroit residency requirements to put his name on the ballot for the Aug. 6 primary elections.
Wednesday, June 19 2013 7:35 AM EDT2013-06-19 11:35:18 GMT
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
Detroit City Council member Kwame Kenyatta says he quitting Friday. Kenyatta didn't give a specific reason to radio station WWJ, but he says the council is virtually powerless now that Detroit is being run by an emergency manager.
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Hockey players (Credit: Fox 2 News)
