Hockey Diversity Alliance feels betrayed, says NHL ‘late to party’ in launching inclusion coalition

Akim Aliu and his fellow members of the Hockey Diversity Alliance say they feel betrayed and confused by the NHL’s decision to launch — or as far as the HDA is concerned, relaunch — an inclusion committee to diversify the sport and make hockey more welcoming.

Whatever happened, Aliu wondered, to the league announcing a partnership with the HDA to address the same issues three years ago? And why, the HDA wondered in releasing a scathing statement Wednesday, is the NHL essentially duplicating what they’ve been doing by funneling millions into programs at the grassroots level and introducing hockey to at-risk youths in under-served communities of color?

“As the NHL has done so many times, they’re late to the party, and they still want to show that they want to be involved in the dance,” Aliu, a veteran who played in a handful of NHL games, told The Associated Press. “This is their way of showing that this is their bigger and better thing. But I think everyone that’s on the inside of hockey knows what’s really going on and really knows that this is just another façade.”

Aliu’s comments mirror the statement he, seven current and former NHL players and the HDA’s support staff and sponsors signed off on after holding lengthy discussions since the league unveiled its inclusion committee last week. The HDA’s membership includes Matt Dumba, Anthony Duclair and Wayne Simmonds.

“It’s a disappointment, but not a surprise that the NHL announced the formation of a ‘players inclusion coalition,’” the HDA’s statement reads.

“Laudable on its face, laughable in full context of the work we have been doing for three years without the league’s support,” it states. “The NHL’s players coalition’s mission statement does not echo the HDA’s goals so much as cynically attempt to appropriate them.”

The NHL and NHL Players’ Association announced the formation of a 20-player committee of current and former players, and earmarked $1 million to support grassroots organizations, player-perspective storytelling and other special projects. Chaired by former NHL players Anson Carter and P.K. Subban, the NHL notes the coalition being formed in 2020, without mentioning the HDA, which was specifically referenced in a similar announcement made in September of that year.

NHL spokesman Brad Klein said the league would have no comment on the HDA statement. NHLPA spokesman Andrew Wolfe said the union also declined comment.

In accusing the NHL of having little to show for what its council has done since 2020, the HDA pointed to the inroads it has made by partnering with corporate sponsors to establish ball hockey and ice hockey programs in the Toronto area last year.