Black Aces

An essential collection of stories from notable Black hockey players, personalities and people

The game of hockey has long been considered a predominantly white sport in nearly every facet of its being. But if you look through the annals of the game, you will find Black players who have created longstanding hockey moments. We know -- or think we know -- these people as hockey players. But do we know how they got here as people? And what about the multitude of factors that have helped shape who they are?

Black Aces tells these stories, going deeper than what has previously been covered in traditional media. The Athletic’s Julian McKenzie talks to Hall of Famers, Olympic Gold medalists, World Champions, Stanley Cup playoff heroes, and auteurs of hockey history. Completing this modern portrait are the voices of up-and-coming players who look toward the future and defining moments of their own.

Includes conversations with Jarome Iginla, Grant Fuhr, Sarah Nurse, P.K. Subban, Georges Laraque, Anson Carter, Blake Bolden, and more

Julian McKenzie is an NHL writer based in Calgary, covering the NHL and Calgary Flames for The Athletic. He also co-hosts The Athletic Hockey Show with Ian Mendes and The Chris Johnston Show with NHL insider Chris Johnston. His work has appeared in the New York Times, FiveThirtyEight, the Montreal Gazette, Habs Eyes on the Prize, CTV Montreal, and other publications. In 2020, McKenzie won a Gala Dynastie award -- for Black entertainers and media from Quebec -- for co-hosting The Scrum Podcast, a show that focuses on and examines Canadian sports media.