Diversity program just the beginning
New positions open door for those ‘who felt there never was a door’
Mark Fraser saw the promise when he read the press release.
The former Maple Leafs defenceman now works in an equity, diversity and player development role with the club, and he was one of the first to see the final version of Wednesday’s announcement of a new management and coaching development program.
It will provide one full-time position in each area for “Black or Indigenous candidates, or those who identify as part of another marginalized and/or racialized group … looking to gain exposure in a professional sports organization.”
“Before we officially announced it, I got to see the official press release and it became real for me,” said Fraser, who played 219 NHL games with the Devils, Leafs and Oilers between 2006 and 2015 and started his current job in March.
“It’s something myself and my colleagues worked closely on ... We just created two new positions for individuals who are in racialized groups. This is the change we’ve all been talking about for so long.”
Beginning next season, the program will place one candidate in the Leafs’ front office and another in coaching. Both are paid positions, and they’ll work directly with team president Brendan Shanahan, general manager Kyle Dubas and head coach Sheldon Keefe.
“I commend Kyle Dubas for taking charge of this initiative … it’s one that our organization as a whole stands behind,” Shanahan said in the release.
For Fraser, drafted 84th by New Jersey in 2005, the program provides opportunities that have been talked about for several years now.
The NHL coaching association unveiled a similar project last year, creating contacts for BIPOC coaches to their NHL counterparts through clinics.
Nathaniel Brooks, a respected coach in the GTHL and the Ryerson Rams hockey program, attended those clinics and said they’re making a difference.
“It’s about us creating representation at those levels, in the racialized groups. That’s what is so important to me,” Fraser said. “That is a big thing, that we succeeded in an initiative that will open a pipeline, if you will. That opening of the door for those individuals who felt there never was a door.”
This past week, the Leafs turned over control of their hockey development operations to two women: Hayley Wickenheiser and Danielle Goyette. The Leafs lead the NHL with 13 women in the coaching, executive and hockey operations ranks.
The new management and coaching initiative received full support from Kim Davis, the NHL’s senior executive vicepresident of social impact and growth, who said it will help the league determine “what the future looks like.”
Fraser said it’s just the start. “I know there is a ton of people out there who have not seen this opportunity before,” he said, adding the program will lead to roles within MLSE and other sports organizations.
“We didn’t want to just provide a mentorship where people can sit in on seminars or chat with people in groups … people (in racialized groups) have that information already. So we wanted those individuals to get the experience of having their hands in the clay, so to speak.”