Pioneers on Ice: Celebrating Asian Heritage Month in Hockey

Written by: Katie Lakusta

May 29, 2024

Time to read 15 min

Asian Heritage Month is celebrated across various countries, including Canada and the United States, and typically during the month of May. It is a time to recognize the rich cultures, traditions, and contributions of Asian communities; in the context of hockey, Asian Heritage Month provides an opportunity to highlight the history, achievements, and impact of Asian hockey players, coaches, and individuals involved in the sport. In this article, we will be looking at some of the history and struggles of the Pan-Asian community in terms of hockey, events, as well as some players of note.

Preview Image: Team China's Ty Schultz battling in front of the net; from The New York Times

Asian Heritage Month

Asian Heritage Month is an opportunity to explore and learn more about the culture and history of Asian cultures, which would include East Asian, South Asian, Pacific Islander, etc. It’s important to note that although the month celebrates them as a whole, all cultures are different, and have likewise faced many different challenges.

We will be taking a look at some of the challenges faced by Asian hockey players, in addition to other historical moments and modern representation. The hockey history in particular hits us at The Hockey Shop quite close to home, as you may notice that many players and programs started their journeys in the West, in British Columbia.

Asian Heritage Month covers an extremely broad range of cultures, so it is actively encouraged for readers to further their learning beyond this article. As a result, the Further Reading section of this article is much longer than usual, and we highly encourage readers to learn more.

Woman overlooking Shanghai; Photo by Yiran Ding on Unsplash

Finding Hockey

Similar to what we’ve seen with other groups we’ve looked at (see previous articles on Black History Month , Pride Month , and Indigenous Peoples’ Day ), minority groups tend to be heavily underrepresented within the modern hockey scene, and those with Asian roots are no exception. The NHL’s Diversity & Inclusion Report in 2022 reported only 7% of the league’s players as having a minority background. Asian hockey players make up one of the smallest statistics.

It's not too difficult to see this small statistic either, particularly in International play. In China, both the men's and women's teams taking players without Chinese descent, but who play professionally in China. China is also not the only team to do this.

Asian players in particular face multiple avenues of discouragement, and that’s not just discrimination from peers. In China, for example, the lack of available ice surfaces and times, as well as a lower quantity of available hockey gear results in a more expensive sport compared to Canada—and it’s already expensive here. Many North American kids benefit from there being organizations and professional players regularly donate to help kids afford to play. And despite these programs designed to help get kids into hockey, Canada has been seeing a general decrease in registration, partly due to the cost of the sport.

So then, how about the players who do start out in North America, where there are more opportunities?

Well, there are still many obstacles. Racism and discrimination run rampant across hockey associations and among teams—deterrents we’ve seen affect other minority groups as well.

Baiwei Yu of the Kunlun Red Star defending the puck; from BDZ Sports

Beyond cost, some households and environments actively discourage young hockey players from continuing the sport if it seems like it won’t amount to any value later in life. This isn’t the case in all households—in fact, it might be argued in some areas that young players should focus more on hockey if that future shows promise—but some studies have found it to be a contributing influence to young players quitting their sport. NYU player, Tommy He, for example, said that he was often discouraged from continuing hockey by his middle school teacher, back when he lived in Beijing.

Although this is a situation that could and does occur across all households, genders, and ethnicities, some survey analyses have pointed to this factor potentially affecting young players with a minority heritage more often.

At the very least, times seem to be changing, with there being more support and opportunities for young players to advance their game every day. Head coach of PWHL Ottawa, Carla MacLeod noted when commenting on Akane Shiga making it to professional hockey that "I just think that the dream is now available to all of us. It doesn't matter if you're a boy or a girl. It doesn't matter if you're from Canada, US or Japan or [Czechia] or Germany or Hungary. You have opportunities in our game." Shiga is both the first Japanese player and the youngest player (22) to make it to the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL) for its inaugural season.

One potentially surprising avenue for hockey is Kazakhstan. Hockey in Kazakhstan started around the 1950s, and its international teams have been steadily climbing the divisions since the 1990s. Although they tend to bounce between Pool B and the Top Division, both Kazakhstan's men's and women's teams do fairly well against the top teams.

Model Minority Myth

As the term implies, this is a predominantly western stereotype whereby a particular minority group, often Asian Americans, is perceived as a successful, well-educated, and law-abiding “role model” for other minorities. They are often viewed as having overcome significant obstacles to get there.

This myth is dangerous most notably because it promotes oversimplification and stereotyping while creating a division among minorities. It reduces the diverse experiences of Asian Americans to a single, simplistic narrative, ignoring the vast differences in socioeconomic status, education levels, and cultural backgrounds within the community. Some parents and guardians will additionally try to uphold this myth in the west, pushing their kids toward more successful pursuits. Whether those successful pursuits include hockey may depend on environment and opportunity.

Kunlun Red Star players before game against Amur Khabarovsk in Mytishchi; from South China Morning Post

The myth overlooks the struggles and challenges faced by many Asian American subgroups. In terms of division, it creates a false dichotomy, or divide, between Asian Americans and other minority groups, and the myth is often used to downplay the systemic racism faced by other communities of colour. This division can hinder solidarity and collective action among minority groups fighting for racial equality and social justice.

Player of... Note?

The man, the myth, the legend— in 1974, the Buffalo Sabres drafted Japanese player, Taro Tsujimoto, during the 11th round of the NHL draft and 183rd overall. The decision came with many questions and very few answers; nevertheless, Tsujimoto was an official draft pick acknowledged by the NHL.

This mysterious player was said to have been 5’8” and weighed 180lbs. He was born on November 16, 1954, in Osaka Japan and played for the Tokyo Katanas. If the (nonexistent) “Tokyo Katanas” isn’t already suspicious, then perhaps the fact that this supposed amazing goal-scorer and prodigy never touched the ice.

That’s because Tsujimoto was never real.

Tsujimoto was created by the Sabres’ general manager at the time, George “Punch” Imlach, to protest the way the NHL Draft was carried out at the time: tediously, across multiple days, and over the phone. The major reason the pick was never questioned at the time was because, although no one had heard of this player before and couldn’t verify his existence, there was also no proof that he didn’t exist. Without a scouting presence in Asia, the Osaka native could still exist.

The “Legend of Taro Tsujimoto” lives on today as a silly inside joke within the Nashville Predator’s association and fanbase. Of course, this kind of joke wouldn’t fly today; more players of many backgrounds are entering the league every year, and researching the validity of a player has become easier than ever. However, it can still be acknowledged as a part of Sabres history that the fans can enjoy looking back on.

Trading card of Taro Tsujimoto, the player who never existed; from Yahoo Sports

In the Time of the Asian American Civil Rights Movement

This event happened during a time when the Asian American Civil Rights movement was gaining traction. Although there were no rules against Japanese hockey players coming to play in the NHL—and Tsujimoto was officially “signed” and acknowledged by the league—it was still a surprise to many at the time that a Japanese player would be drafted. This aspect of the joke, of course, hasn’t aged well when putting into perspective the rise and diversity of elite hockey players coming out today.

Most are aware of the Civil Rights Movement, but likely not as many know of or remember the Asian American Movement. Inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, Black Power, and anti-war activism, the Asian American Civil Rights Movement refers to a series of efforts and actions taken by Asian Americans, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, to fight against racial discrimination, promote social justice, and achieve equal rights in the United States.

Peaceful protesters holding signs at a march in San Francisco, CA; Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

Asian American students at universities like San Francisco State College and the University of California, Berkeley, joined with other ethnic groups to advocate for ethnic studies programs and greater representation in academia. At UC Berkeley, students, Yuji Ichikoka and Emma Gee formed the Asian American Political Alliance (AAPA). At San Francisco State, the creation of the first Asian American Studies and Ethnic Studies courses was a major accomplishment of this movement.

Greater representation was another result of the movement, with a more pan-ethnicity focus. A pan-ethnic identity is the unified identification of diverse ethnic communities within a larger framework from shared experiences, common goals, and collective interests.

AAPA founders Yuji Ichikoka and Emma Gee; from Time Magazine , photo courtesy of UCLA Asian American Studies Center

(Real) Players of Note

As of 2024, fewer than 40 players of Asian descent have made it to the NHL.

Larry Kwong

Larry Kwong had dreams of playing in the NHL, but growing up in Vernon, BC during the 1920s—a time when the Chinese Exclusion Act was fresh and in full force—meant his chances were slim to none.

Despite the racial discrimination and significant disadvantages, Kwong still pursued the sport he loved, playing high-level hockey for the Trail Smoke Eaters, Nanaimo Clippers, and the Vancouver St. Regis. Fans excitedly attended games to see Kwong, who had accumulated the nicknames “The China Clipper” and “King Kwong,” in action.

Eventually, on March 13, 1948, Kwong would be the first hockey player of Asian descent to play in the NHL, officially breaking the colour barrier.

Black and White photo of Larry Kwong; By ACME Newspictures - Hockey legend immortalized in film - Vernon Morning Starlower resolution version with date, Public Domain, Source Link

Although his NHL career was brief—he played just one game for the New York Rangers—it was a historic moment for the league. This milestone was not just a personal achievement for Kwong but a significant step forward for the representation of Asian athletes in professional hockey.

His game in the NHL wasn’t his final appearance on the ice, as he would move on to become a top player and all-star in the QSHL as well.

Paul Kariya

Born in Vancouver, British Columbia to a Japanese-Canadian father and Scottish-Canadian mother, Paul Kariya was one of the greats of the NHL, known for his speed, skill, and puckhandling. He was described as entertaining to watch, and he was so fast and smart on the ice, that coach John Paddock noted that it might look like he was cherry-picking at certain points of the game, but he was not. Teammates would describe him as always one step ahead. Entertaining, extremely hard-working, but not aggressive and not dirty, are all traits that earned him back-to-back Lady Byng trophies in 1996 and 1997.

Kariya appeared on the international stage multiple times for Team Canada, earning numerous silvers and golds with them from 1991-2002. He was drafted fourth overall by the Anaheim Mighty Ducks, and would also play for the Colorado Avalanche, the Nashville Predators, and the St. Louis Blues later in his NHL career.

Paul Kariya on the Anaheim Ducks; from The Hockey Hall of Fame

He was the face of the Mighty Ducks franchise during his time there and would serve as captain for the team for seven seasons, including during the team’s Stanley Cup run in 2003. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2017 alongside friend and old linemate in Anaheim, Teemu Selanne. Even after being inducted, he was very humble about the achievement, saying that he viewed himself as a “Canadian, first and foremost.”

Matt Dumba

Matt Dumba is an elite hockey player currently playing for the Tampa Bay Lightning of the NHL. He started his NHL career drafted seventh overall by the Minnesota Wild after having been predicted as the 11th-best prospect by NHL Central Scouting and 5th by International Scouting Services. In addition to his NHL play, he also made a few International appearances for Team Canada. He was with the Minnesota Wild from 2013 until 2023 and was praised for his hard-hitting style as a defenseman.

Dumba’s most significant contributions were not just on the ice, however—off-ice, Dumba has been a known and vocal advocate for social justice. The Filipino-Canadian grew up having racism and slurs directed toward him often while growing up in Calgary, Alberta. In 2020, he co-founded the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) alongside other NHL players to address systemic racism and promote diversity in hockey.

Matt Dumba takes a knee during the US national anthem next to Darnell Nurse (EDM) and Malcolm Subban (CHI) after speech; from USA Today

After the death of George Floyd, Dumba was the first NHL player to take a knee in response, after giving a speech condemning racism for the HDA. His efforts didn’t just stop there; he helped kickstart “Rebuild Minnesota,” which is a fundraiser for small businesses affected during the George Floyd protests. This fundraiser also donated funds to Action Dignity, an organization that focuses on promoting equality. In 2020, he was awarded the King Clancy Memorial Trophy, given to the NHL player who epitomizes leadership and made a significant humanitarian contribution to their community.

Julie Chu

Julie Chu isn’t just one of the greats of women’s hockey; she was the first female Asian-American hockey player to play for Team USA in the Winter Olympics. She additionally was the first Asian-American to win an Olympic Winter medal outside of figure skating, and the first visible minority to be named a captain at the 2016 CWHL All-Star game.

These are far from her only big achievements, however. In 2007, she won both the Patty Kazmaier Award and the Bob Allen Women’s Player of the Year Award. During her time at Harvard, she accumulated multiple All-American accolades and is the all-time NCAA scoring leader (284 goals across four seasons) and all-time assists leader (197 assists across four seasons). She was not only a star during her collegiate career—points, goals, and awards-wise—but she was also widely known for her presence and achievements on the International stage.

Julie Chu on Team USA; from Union College

Chu was a significant force on the U.S. Women’s National Team, competing in four Olympic Games and earning three silver medals (2002, 2010, 2014) and one bronze (2006), as well as nine IIHF World Women’s Championships and 12 4 Nations Cups. At the World Championships, Chu won five golds and four silvers, while at the 4 Nations Cup, she took home four golds, seven silvers, and one bronze.

Professionally, Chu played for the Minnesota Whitecaps (WWHL) and the Montreal Stars (CWHL, later Les Canadiennes de Montreal), winning two Clarkson Cups with the Stars. In 2014, she had the honour of being the flagbearer for Team USA at the Sochi Olympics. Chu's remarkable career has made her the second most decorated female athlete in the history of the Winter Olympic Games.

Julie Chu's legacy is not just about the medals and records; it's about the doors she has opened for future generations of female athletes. There is no doubt Julie Chu was one of the greats. Post-retirement, Chu went on to coach multiple women’s hockey teams, including the University of Minnesota-Duluth and Union College. She currently coaches the Concordia Stingers.

Japan's Ami Nakamura making a pass against Kazakhstan in the Asian Winter Games in Sapporo; from The Japan Times