Hockey documentary featuring famous athletes set to screen in Brampton this Black History Month
Published February 8, 2024 at 5:03 pm
Anyone passionate about hockey and history might want to check out a 2015 documentary film that explores the rewards and challenges of pursuing a career in the NHL as a Black athlete.
The Brampton Library recently announced that it is partnering with Enroute 2 Success, a non-profit organization dedicated to mentoring Black youth, to present a free screening of Soul on Ice: Past, Present and Future at the Cyril Clark Lecture Theatre (20 Loafer’s Lake Lane) on Feb. 16.
The evening will be emceed by journalist, director and producer Clinton Hosannah, while TV show host Nikki Clarke of the Afroglobal TV Network will moderate the discussion.
The film, screened in celebration of Black History Month, explores the history of the Coloured Hockey League and “the rarely told story of Black players in hockey, a sport often seen as whiter than the ice it’s played upon.”
Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kwame Damon Mason, the documentary, which won the Audience Choice Award for best film at the Edmonton International Film Festival, showcases the often unknown contributions of Black athletes who enhanced a sport not known for being remarkably diverse.
“Soul On Ice presents the exploits of athletes who dared to stand out, and dared to make the sport their own. These Black athletes dared to give their sport soul,” a synopsis on the film’s official website reads.
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The film, centred on the journey of young player Jaden Lindo, features appearances from a number of famous NHL players and alumni, including P.K Subban, Wayne Simmonds, Joel Ward, Trevor Daley, Mike Marson, Tony McKegney and five-time NHL Stanley Cup winner Grant Fuhr.
Hockey personalities such as Don Cherry, former NHL goalie and current analyst Kevin Weekes and Elliotte Friedman of Hockey Night In Canada also appear in the film.
“The face of hockey is changing and this film shows us it has been in the making for a long time,” the synopsis reads.
The screening will also feature a panel discussion with Kirk Brooks, co-founder of the Skillz Hockey and Seaside Hockey organizations, and Jenyo Aladejebi, the founder of the Clutch Life 85 sports lifestyle brand.
The event will kick off with opening remarks at 6:30 p.m. and the screening will follow.
You can register to attend here.
“After the screening, let’s challenge the stigma that Black youth can only excel in certain sports and expand the possibilities to include new activities and sports,” organizers said in a news release.
“The film Soul on Ice sets the tone and mirrors our partner Enroute 2 Success’ commitment to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black individuals in sports and uplifting youth.”
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