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Traditionally, not many African American play hockey, though about 30 now suit up in the NHL.
Jason McCrimmon of Detroit, an African American, started at age three learning the sport at the Detroit Hockey Association. He went on to play at the University of Massachusetts-Boston and eventually overseas in Europe where he was named captain in Finland.
After retirement from hockey, he returned home and in 2014 founded the Detroit Ice Dreams Youth Hockey Association to introduce local children to the sport. He tells Deadline Detroit he currently serves about 60 children, boys and girls, ages 3-17.
The nonprofit uses Jack Adams Arena on Lyndon in Detroit.
McCrimmon is the president of the association and is also head coach and co-owner of United States Premiere Hockey League's Motor City Hockey Club (Junior A) team based in Troy.
NBC Sports takes a look at the program in the video below.
