WQED premieres documentary on Pittsburgh Penguins鈥� Willie O鈥橰ee Academy
Willie O鈥橰ee paved the way for young players of color in hockey, leaving behind a legacy of increased opportunities on the ice.
On Thursday, Oct. 5 at 8 p.m., WQED will premiere 鈥淓quity on Ice: The Willie O鈥橰ee Academy.鈥�
Produced by Beth Dolinar and Dave Forstate, the program, with narration by Brian Cook, focuses on the Pittsburgh Penguins鈥� mentorship initiative for young ice hockey players of color. The academy is named for O鈥橰ee, the man known as the 鈥淛ackie Robinson of Professional Hockey.鈥� O鈥橰ee, a Canada native, made his National Hockey League debut with the Boston Bruins in 1958, becoming the NHL鈥檚 first Black player.
O鈥橰ee remained a lifelong advocate for players of color and economically disadvantaged youth, and is member of the National Hockey Hall of Fame.
His legacy is now 鈥渃enter ice鈥� in Western Pennsylvania, where the Pittsburgh Penguins have launched the Willie O鈥橰ee Academy. Created by the Pens in partnership with Dick鈥檚 Sporting Goods in 2021, the academy provides training as well as social and mentorship opportunities for Black, African American and youth of color who play hockey in the Pittsburgh region.
In contrast to other urban hockey programs, the Willie O鈥橰ee Academy鈥檚 goal is not focused on getting kids of color on skates for the first time. Its participants are already experienced skaters with knowledge and appreciation for the sport. However, these players are now challenged by new obstacles, often being in the minority among their peers, coaches and in the stands.
WQED explores the Willie O鈥橰ee Academy not only through the legacy of its legendary namesake, but through the eyes and activities of the young participants.
鈥淏eing around people who look like you really just lets you embrace yourself and embrace who you are as a person,鈥� said 15-year-old Gavin Durden, a player and member of the academy who is featured in the documentary.
鈥淲e truly believe that hockey is for everyone, and it should be available for everyone,鈥� said Jaden Lindo, a former Penguins draft pick, now manager of Community Hockey Programs at the Pittsburgh Penguins Foundation. 鈥淎nd we just want to make that a reality.鈥�
鈥淧rofessional hockey has been lacking in diversity from its beginning,鈥� said Dolinar. 鈥淚n producing this, we were impressed to meet so many young Black players 鈥� both girls and boys 鈥� who have the talent and the passion to make it in this sport, and who are being helped along by the academy.鈥�
There will be an encore of the 30-minute documentary on Monday, Oct. 9 at 7:30 p.m. The program will also stream at www.wqed.org/watch.