© 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 was both drained and thrilled after his stint as a counselor at the recent Hockey Players of Color (HPOC) Movement Summer Camp in Morrisville, North Carolina, a significant step up from being a camper the previous year.

“It’s incredible to see all these kids from diverse ethnic backgrounds, attending camp and gaining experiences they normally wouldn’t,” said Becom, a 15-year-old forward for the Carolina Jr. Hurricanes Under-16 AA team. “Just observing this diversity and exposure is truly awesome.”

The July 26-28 camp at Invisalign Arena, the Hurricanes’ practice facility, was attended by nearly 50 players from North and South Carolina, other parts of the United States, and Canada.

The event was organized by the Hockey Players of Color (HPOC) Movement – a nonprofit organization established in 2020 to promote and nurture diversity in the sport. It also had the support of the Hurricanes, the Carolina Amateur Hockey Association, and 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. This is achieved through a weekend filled with both on-ice and off-ice activities.

“Grant Vallier, a 13-year-old forward from Charlotte, said that it not only unites a large number of people, but also celebrates the presence of many 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 attended discussions about career paths in hockey.

“HPOC Movement founder and CEO, Jazmine Miley, pointed out the numerous options available to aspiring hockey players. She highlighted that attending a prep school is a viable alternative to playing on a AAA team. Miley explained, “If their dream is the NHL, that’s completely acceptable. However, there are many other pathways to professional play. This is something a lot of kids and parents might not realize because we’re often led to believe that the NHL is the only route.”

At the weekend camp, campers viewed two hockey documentaries, “Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future” and “Ice Queens.” These were directed by Kwame Damon Mason, a Canadian filmmaker whose son, Hendrix, was among the camp attendees.

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

Chatfield expressed, “Regardless of your color, witnessing someone who is passionate about the same thing as you, particularly when they perform at the highest level, serves as motivation.”

Brad Hoffman, a former board member of CAHA who also led its diversity, equity and inclusion committee, was credited by Miley as the originator of the camp’s concept.

“Hoffman acknowledged that their sport largely consists of white males. He expressed the need to diversify and implement some changes.

“I believe that visibility is crucial from the top level. Your actions and deeds must have significance, and it’s important to follow through with them.”

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.

“Really, the rest is history,” stated Jackson. “We at USA Hockey facilitated this collaboration between the HPOC Movement and the affiliate. Since we were instrumental in coordinating it, it was only logical for us to say, ‘We’ll provide the majority of the funding for this.'”

“Last year, we self-funded the inaugural weekend,” stated Jackson. “This year, however, we partnered with CAHA to secure sponsors. The Hurricanes and several local organizations have generously contributed funds. The concept was actually proposed by an affiliate. We’re pleased that the bond between CAHA and the HPOC Movement continues to be robust.”

Cassidhe Wozniak is also notable. She is a former forward for the NCAA Division III women’s hockey team at Worcester State University. Wozniak served as a counselor at the camp, guiding attendees through their ice routines.

“She said, “I was conducting a drill and proposed a 1-on-1 challenge against the coaches to the kids. Their enthusiasm was palpable as they saw it as an opportunity to display their skills and prove their prowess.”

“Wozniak said, ‘At the camp’s conclusion, everyone is high-fiving us and expressing their eagerness to see us again next year.'”

“I plan on going back, too.”