{"id":4877,"date":"2022-06-10T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-10T18:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/?p=4877"},"modified":"2022-06-09T15:54:12","modified_gmt":"2022-06-09T23:54:12","slug":"hockey-is-for-everyone","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/abilitytools.org\/blog\/hockey-is-for-everyone\/","title":{"rendered":"Hockey is for Everyone™"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"People<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

We are over a month into the 2022 Stanley Cup Finals, and the competition is getting heated. Unfortunately, none of California\u2019s hockey teams remain in the running, with the LA Kings having faced off against the Edmonton Oilers and exiting in the first round.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As sad as that news is, it’s not the end of the story for California\u2019s current hockey culture. Over two decades ago, the National Hockey League\u2019s (NHL<\/a>) Diversity Task Force created the \u201cHockey is for Everyone™\u201d campaign<\/a>, since then, it has blossomed into a yearlong initiative that \u201c\u2026uses the game of hockey – and the League’s global influence – to drive positive social change and foster more inclusive communities.\u201d Their website continues on to state that \u201c[They] support any teammate, coach or fan who brings heart, energy and passion to the rink. [They] believe all hockey programs – from professionals to youth organizations – should provide a safe, positive and inclusive environment for players and families regardless of race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity or expression, disability, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Now, California is a large state, and as a result, we are lucky to have three outstanding hockey teams: The Los Angeles Kings<\/a>, the Anaheim Ducks<\/a>, and the San Jose Sharks<\/a>. The Kings, unfortunately, only briefly mentions the league wide initiative on their site and links to the league\u2019s declaration of principles page<\/a>, but our other two teams, the Ducks and the Sharks, have been making impressive strides to manifest this initiative into an actionable path toward ensuring that this outstanding sport is inclusive to everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"A<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The Ducks have an awesome \u201clet\u2019s get everyone playing\u201d approach, providing a broad range of programs that include <\/a>In-school Initiatives<\/a> and Girls Hockey Programs<\/a>, but where they really shine are the disability specific programs outlined on their Hockey is for Everyone homepage<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n