Winnipeg Jets Alumnus Ray Neufeld participated in a ceremonial puck-drop for Black History Month in Steinbach on Friday, Mar. 3rd.
The former NHL player was very thankful to come back to Manitoba to be honoured in this way.
Inclusivity in hockey has come a long way since Neufeld first started.
Neufeld says he didn’t experience much racism growing up, but that doesn’t mean other kids didn’t experience it.
“In the town of Winkler, there weren't a lot of colored people living in that town. I never really had a lot of issues in relation to race,” he says. “My teammates and people I played against, they never really hassled me, could have been because I was a super big kid, but who knows.”
He says he didn’t encounter a lot of challenges. There was the odd time, but nothing too serious.
“As I progressed into pro and junior, there was the odd thing happened here and there, but I was able to block that out and just focus on playing,” he says. “I always felt I was one of the boys. I was always received and respected very well by my teammates.”
He says we can all learn and grow from listening to the experiences of other people.
“Everybody's stories are different, everyone's experiences are different,” he says. “And so, I think it's wonderful that they want to hear the stories and allow people to reflect on it, and also appreciate what some players had to go through.”
Neufeld says that everyone on a hockey team comes to the rink with different challenges, different circumstances, and things that are going on in their life.
“I think it's important that we learn to listen and take our time to make them feel comfortable, that they would be willing to share and talk openly about whatever concerns they're having in life.”
He says he’s been very fortunate to have supportive friends, family, and coaches who have helped encourage him throughout the years.
“I've learned from different people to help me develop into the type of character and type of person I am.”
Neufeld says it’s a privilege to be able to pass that on and be a role model for young people today.
“It's really a passion of mine and it's part of who I am. Part of the role of a mentor is building trust and being able to help young people work through things, see what they can achieve in life, and for them to be the best people they can be,” he says. “Cause that's really what it's about. It's developing good people and helping them see the goodness in themselves and reaching for all that they can be.”
He says hockey has been such a huge and important part of his life and he has a passion for supporting junior hockey.
"I mean, I pinch myself sometimes thinking about the many blessings I've received through friendships and just support through the game of hockey. It's been incredible.”
Being so blessed has made him want to give back to the hockey community.
“Being connected with Paul Dyck and just everything that he's done in Steinbach and the people that he works with so closely, they all make things happen there and I think it's just awesome.”
The Steinbach Pistons has always been about developing players away from hockey and getting them ready for life.
There's also more college and university programs that are doing that and really investing in who players are off the ice.
Neufeld says developing the player on the ice is good, but developing the person off the ice is something irreplaceable.
"It's helping them understand education and finding their way in life and what are the things that they want to develop to, or become, and encouraging that,” he says. “And school is certainly a wonderful avenue for them to do that. College hockey, whether it be the CIS level in Canada or the NCAA level in the in the USA.”
He says Paul Dyck with the Steinbach Pistons has done an incredible job with the team.
“He’s a caring individual and he really understands young men and what makes their hearts tick and how to get the best out of them.”
He says hockey is all about helping players see what they can achieve, and then pushing them to work towards those things.
“And Paul's done a great job, and I think hockey overall has been moving in that direction, because not all kids are going to make it to national hockey. It's just not the reality,” he says. “But you know you can have a great life in a profession of your choice and really thrive and be successful there as well.”
He says it means to world to players in the MJHL to have the support from communities and be valued there.
Some of the greatest memories Neufeld has in hockey is exactly that.
“When you're a young kid and you leave home and you want to head out to play hockey in a different community, these are special times.”
He has great memories of his time in Flin Flon, playing junior hockey with the Flin Flon Bombers, and the billet family he was with.
“You can't say enough about a community that's willing to embrace young men and help them develop as people, and takes a whole community to do that.”
He says the players also need to take responsibility as the community has given them an opportunity.
“They need to make the best of that opportunity and provide a good entertaining game of hockey on the ice, and perform at the best level they can, and respect the community and give back however they can.”
He says it’s a team effort to make junior hockey work in smaller communities and it takes everybody.
“And Steinbach certainly has done a wonderful job with the program they've built there. You can see the successes they've just done a wonderful job.”
Neufeld emphasizes it’s very important to keep the conversations going and learn from our history so we can respect others moving forward.
"For players to understand the importance of respecting their teammates, respecting the other team. You don't have to like the other team, but you need to respect them and treat them accordingly.”
He says we are definitely in a growing time in hockey.
“I think it's a good thing. It will help improve the game and just the environment that we have to participate in daily.”
Neufeld says The Winnipeg Jets Hockey Academy is doing a great job at making hockey inclusive.
"They're continuing to work and develop and add different things into that program to help educate and help bring more kids into the game, so that they can enjoy the game of hockey and see the goodness of what the game can provide for young people.”
He says hockey is all about helping kids be the best they can be.
“It's really about helping people understand. And hockey is for everybody, in my opinion, it's always been for everybody. I mean, I've never had anybody say to me, ‘hey, you can't play hockey.’”
Neufeld says kids need to know it’s a safe environment where they can come, play, have fun, learn the game, and be around great people.
"And that's what we would like to project, and that message needs to be consistent, and hopefully the National Hockey League is working hard at doing that. I know the Winnipeg Jets do a tremendous job and I think a lot of communities are working towards that.”
With files from Dave Anthony