Black History Celebrations Highlight Growth in Game | FEATURE

This article originally appeared on Feb. 23, 2023

As the Devils and other teams around the NHL focus on Black History Month, it's an opportunity to celebrate the growth in the league and continue to commit to growing the game.

"It has a tremendous impact because for us it's just the awareness of the diversity that's now in the league," former Devil and MSG analyst Bryce Salvador shared on the Speak of the Devils Podcast. "I think it's the utmost (importance) that message is present. We've come such a long way since when I started back in 2000 of just how much awareness has been brought to the game."

"It's just such an important moment because it's a time when us as a collective - the NHL, fans, stakeholders, ownership, players - can say hey let's reflect back and celebrate the achievements ad contributions that current and former Black players have done in the history of the game," Salvador continued. "And then remember the trailblazers, like Willie O'Ree, that paved the way, broke the barriers, so that guys like myself had an opportunity to play at the highest level."

Salvador was the first Black captain in Devils franchise history and spent half of his 14-year NHL career with New Jersey. After his playing career ended, Salvador coached youth hockey in New Jersey and currently serves as an analyst for MSGSN covering the Devils. Through his experience working with youth players he's seen the sport continue to grow.

"Just by the number of BIPOC players and then also the number of girls as well," Salvador said. "When you get on the ice it doesn't matter what's going on in the world, you're out there playing the game and I think the more they get exposed to it they realize, wow this is fun."