Hockey in the Hood

Tournament at Jack Adams provides inner-city youths with fun and opportunities

It’s not every weekend that a diverse group of kids and their families from all over the U.S. come together to celebrate a game that isn’t exactly known for its diversity.

But that’s what Hockey in the Hood does. Organized and hosted by the Detroit Hockey Association (DHA), with sponsorship from the Detroit Red Wings Foundation, Ilitch Charities for Children and support from the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force, the third annual Hockey in the Hood tournament took over Jack Adams Memorial Arena in Detroit on Feb. 16-18.

Inner-city hockey organizations from Atlantic City, Boston, Columbus, Pittsburgh, and Washington D.C. joined the local Clark Park Coalition, DHA, and the Wayne Youth Hockey Association for a fun-filled weekend of hockey the players will never forget.

“We try to take away all the issues from the kids for a weekend and let them be superstars,” said Will McCants, DHA president and tournament director. “For many of the kids, it’s the first time traveling out of their state. We wine and dine them the best we can and try to keep them involved in the sport.”

A superstar event

The DHA hosted the “superstar” event that included parent volunteers serving free food at the arena for traveling players and their families, to a free dinner banquet at the Hyatt Regency in Dearborn. The players were also inspired by the Stanley Cup’s visit to the arena and their opportunity to meet Willie O’Ree, the first black player to ever play in the National Hockey League.

As Director of Youth Development for NHL Diversity, the 71-year old O’Ree comes to Hockey in the Hood every year to motivate the players and help develop hockey programs in diverse communities.

“On top of hockey, I always stress the importance of education,” said O’Ree. “I tell the kids, ‘without school, you are going nowhere.’ However, the kids involved in the programs do really well in school. The two go hand and hand.”

Developing inner-city hockey

For the last 10 years, O’Ree has worked with Walled Lake’s Sam Greenblatt, director emeritus of the NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force, to develop hockey programs in inner-city communities nationwide.

“When Willie and I first started working together there were three or four programs. Now there are nearly 40 nationwide,” said Greenblatt. “If you don’t have these kids, you don’t have an NHL. It’s grassroots efforts like Hockey in the Hood that develop future stars.”

The Columbus Ice Hockey Club is a prime example of a newly developed inner city program. With help from the Diversity Task Force, the club formed around the time the Columbus Blue Jackets organization brought NHL hockey to Ohio. Youth programs have flourished as a result of the interest the Blue Jackets brought to the area.

“It’s a whirlwind” said Paul Smith who has two sons and a daughter playing in the Columbus Ice Hockey Club. “It’s relatively inexpensive, equipment is provided, and it gives the kids an opportunity to be a part of something great.”

“Most of these kids have never been out of Ohio or Columbus even,” added Kathy Spatz, a Columbus Department of Recreation and Parks employee that manages the team. “For the kids, traveling, being on a bus trip, staying in a fancy hotel, playing hockey with kids that face the same setbacks as they do…it’s just awesome.”

Those opportunities are exactly what McCants had in mind when the tournament was developed a couple years ago. On February 25, 2005 the tournament was born when two of the oldest clubs within the Diversity Task Force, the DHA and the Ft. DuPont Hockey Club of Washington D.C., played each other in friendship games at Jack Adams Arena. The two organizations decided that by joining forces, Hockey in the Hood could become an annual tournament that would provide normally disadvantaged kids the opportunities to travel, show off their on-ice skills, and be rewarded and recognized for their achievements in school and in their communities.

O’Ree shares his experience

Now in its third year, Hockey in the Hood continues to grow by adding more organizations each year and keeping with traditions like holding the tournament in February during Black History Month and by honoring O’Ree.

“I want the kids to celebrate Willie and know who he is and was,” said McCants. “He broke the color barrier in hockey and it wasn’t easy. I never want any of these kids to face what Willie did; they don’t deserve to face that prejudice.”

According to O’Ree, being a black player in the 1950’s and 60’s was tough, but he didn’t let that get him down.

“Fans would yell, ‘Go back to the south’ and ‘How come you’re not picking cotton.’ Things like that. It didn't bother me,” said O’Ree. “I just wanted to be a hockey player, and if they couldn't accept that fact, that was their problem, not mine."

“These kids love this game as much as anyone else,” added McCants. “We treat our guests to leave with a better attitude to erase those stereotypes.”

Jack Adams Arena a good host

Although the Jack Adams Memorial Arena may need a few updates, the historic rink is a perfect home for the tournament.

“Wayne County is excited to be the site of this exciting tournament,” said Wayne County Executive Robert Ficano. “More than a game, the annual Hockey in the Hood tournament brings together young people, celebrates diversity in the NHL, and promotes healthy lifestyles and great fun.”

Many years ago Jack Adams Arena was one of handful of outdoor rinks in Detroit. Eventually the arena was built on that site and named after the late Jack Adams, who is best known for his 36-year career with the Red Wings as a coach and manager. Detroit Dragons Coach Anthony Garcia said they have held the same motto at the arena for the 27 years he has been with the association “Jack Adams, where goals are achieved, not just scored.”

The DHA’s Beginner Program teaches beginner kids through adults how to skate. For $200 a season, the program provides ice time, equipment, and instruction and gives players the opportunity to try hockey at a non-competitive level. Coach Greg Miller said it’s the perfect place for the future stars of the DHA to get their start. The program is growing. For more information, contact the DHA at (313) 341-4123 or info@detroithockey.org.

Diversity Task Force organizations are providing opportunities for inner-city kids that allow them to take hockey as far as they want. With a good solid foundation and inspiration from tournaments such as Hockey in the Hood that gives these kids the chance to play friendly games against each other, see the Stanley Cup, and meet O’Ree, are invaluable. Many of these organizations are struggling, including the DHA, and without constant support, great celebrations of the game such as Hockey in the Hood will vanish.

“This tournament could not have happened without the tireless support of the Diversity Task Force, the Detroit Department of Recreation, and all of our sponsors, especially the Detroit Red Wings charities,” said McCants. “What is happening here is just so special, and I always want it to stay that way, even when I’m gone.”

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