NHL, NHLPA and Beyond Sport Announce Hockey SENSE
As the ice hockey community gathers for the World Cup of Hockey, one of the game's most exciting and competitive international tournaments, it is evident to see how hockey has grown in popularity around the world. With Players and fans from different backgrounds representing a growing diversity, the NHL and NHLPA are committed to promoting and supporting policies and actions that improve the communities where hockey players and fans live, work and play.
It is with this in mind that the NHL, NHLPA and Beyond Sport have partnered to deliver Hockey SENSE, a summit gathering influential figures from the world of hockey to discuss Social Equality and Sustainable Environments. Taking place on September 19th at the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto, the event will address an international audience, generating valuable insight, action items and recommendations that will help drive the social agenda for the sport of hockey.
NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, alongside NHLPA Executive Director Don Fehr, will join key stakeholders from the world of hockey and beyond, to discuss the connections between diversity, inclusion and environmental sustainability within the sport. Contributing specifically to the conversation around diversity and inclusion, guests will get the opportunity to hear from individuals from the hockey world who embody the meaning of diversity, integration and acceptance. Harnarayan Singh, Broadcaster, Hockey Night in Canada in Punjabi, OMNI/Rodgers, will talk about his journey making the sport he loves accessible to the Sikh Canadian community by delivering broadcasts to Punjabi-speaking fans all across the country. Former NHL player Igor Larionov will also share his experience on breaking down the barriers that kept Soviet players from joining the NHL. Expanding on the diversity and inclusion discussion, Canadian Women’s Hockey Player, Cassie Campell Pascall will join Director of Professional Sports Outreach, You Can Play Wade Davis and former NHL Player, Willie O’Ree to share the strides that Hockey has made in recent history to improve diversity and ways to continue to foster inclusion.
The second half of the morning will shift focus to look at sustainability. Given that many hockey players, from both North America and Europe, learned to skate and play the game of hockey outside on frozen ponds, there is an inherent connection between the natural environment and the sport. Protecting natural ice whilst reducing the impacts of indoor ice rinks, will help ensure the sport’s accessibility and sustainability for future generations. Robert McLeman, Associate Professor, Geography & Environmental Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University, will give his expert opinion on the impact of climate change and how the sport can work toward achieving best practice in sustainability. Looking specifically at how the sport can create environmentally effective arenas and communities, Allen Hershkowitz, President Emeritus, Green Sports Alliance; Bryan Leslie, Director of Building Operations and Team Up Green, Air Canada and MLSE; Mike Richter, Former NHL Player and Tensho Takemori, Partner at Genhry Partners, will share their insight on the environmental issues affecting the game and its fans.
The event will conclude with closing remarks by NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly and the NHLPA’s Chief of Global Business Strategies, Sandra Monteiro who will recap on the morning’s discussion and highlight the key takeaways that will ensure the sport moves forward in a progressive manner to enhance its growth and sustainability.
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