Daley, now the Penguins' hockey operations advisor, was joined by Penguins Radio Network and PensTV host Josh Getzoff. The two spoke about the power of representation in hockey both on and off the ice.
Before they took the floor, Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse spoke first. He outlined some of the ways in which the organization strives to diversify the sport, both in the workplace and the community.
Morehouse also spoke to the fact that the Penguins have a platform, and that he feels the organization has an obligation to use it in order to make meaningful changes within the community. To that end, Morehouse serves on the NHL's Executive Inclusion Council.
After Morehouse concluded his remarks, Penguins director of strategic and community initiatives Delvina Morrow took over to share some of the other exciting events the team is hosting this month.
"Today is just the start," she said with a smile.
From there, it was time for Daley and Getzoff to take the spotlight.
After an introduction from Getzoff, Daley shared how proud he is to be back with the Penguins with all that the organization is doing, saying that Morehouse first reached out to him about this initiative early last summer.
Daley urged audience members to get involved with the community's youth, pointing out how important it is to give them something to commit to and something to keep them focused. It's more important to make better people out of the kids than better hockey players, he said.
Since Daley never had the opportunity to talk to someone that went through the same things he did, he's excited to be part of the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA), which he formed with eight other former and current hockey players in June 2020 to eradicate systemic racism and intolerance in hockey.
"We're just trying to do what's right," he said. "And we hope that people follow."
Another important aspect of the HDA is to ensure that kids today don't have to go through racial discrimination like Daley was subjected to, creating an environment where minorities can become hockey players in the same way others get to.
That extends beyond on-ice talent, Daley reminded listeners. It extends into all levels of the organization, so that everybody can go to work and see people that look like them, which will hopefully create opportunity for others.
"I'm going to keep learning, keep trying to get better, and keep trying to help where I can help," Daley said. "This is part of it, this initiative we are talking about today is part of it. If there's a kid that looks like me, that's seeing what I'm doing right now and what I've done - if I could help and send a message to him that this could be done, then let me know where to sign up."
