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.
Saturday, May 25 2013 9:17 PM EDT2013-05-26 01:17:14 GMT
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country.
Windsor and Detroit officials have submitted a bid to host Wrestlemania in 2015 and/or 2016. It has become one of the biggest sports entertainment events in the country. Wrestlemania is the SuperBowl of sports and entertainment.
Saturday, May 25 2013 8:29 PM EDT2013-05-26 00:29:51 GMT
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
A man accused of killing his wife and two children in Novi in 2008 has been extradited from India to Metro Detroit to face murder charges. His arrest could end a five-year-old murder mystery.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:58 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:58:44 GMT
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Police say a woman was held captive at a hotel for several days and forced to have sex around the clock with multiple men, whoever would pay the price. 26-year-old Deante Brown now faces sex trafficking charges.
Friday, May 24 2013 11:18 PM EDT2013-05-25 03:18:53 GMT
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Dairy Boy keeps getting hit with tire tracks in the yard, so they brought in boulders to act as a visual warning and physical reminder not to cut the corner. Now they've been told those rocks must go.
Friday, May 24 2013 10:34 PM EDT2013-05-25 02:34:36 GMT
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
The pediatrician called him a big baby, his parents believed their boy was genetically destined to be obese, but he proved them all wrong. One day, he made a critical decision and became a weight loss winner.
Friday, May 24 2013 8:54 PM EDT2013-05-25 00:54:08 GMT
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
More than 150 dogs have been removed from locations owned by a breeding facility in Michigan's northern Lower Peninsula, where officials said the animals were living in outdoor enclosures with little protection.
Friday, May 24 2013 7:06 PM EDT2013-05-24 23:06:29 GMT
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Krazy Jim's Blimpy Burger, an institution for generations of University of Michigan students in Ann Arbor, is about to undergo a historic change of address.
Friday, May 24 2013 6:54 PM EDT2013-05-24 22:54:49 GMT
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Gleaming stainless steel circa 1975 provides the once futuristic setting for Southfield's best-kept secret -- Anthony's Coney Cafe inside the IBM building at Nine Mile and Southfield Road.
Friday, May 24 2013 5:31 PM EDT2013-05-24 21:31:37 GMT
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
A home explosion in Royal Oak back in February killed a man and damaged dozens of houses. Now some homeowners are complaining that insurance companies are making repairs difficult.
Friday, May 24 2013 1:52 PM EDT2013-05-24 17:52:39 GMT
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
Alan Lee asks Wallace if the subject of Viagara will 'come up' in Wallace's scheduled interview with former Senator Bob Dole. Wallace responds, "Comes up, really that's what you're going to say?"
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Hockey players (Credit: Fox 2 News)
