Ryan Reaves takes pride in career, being a Black player in the NHL

San Jose Sharks forward Ryan Reaves is going to miss hockey whenever he decides to leave the ice and hang up his skates for good.

It’s not happening anytime soon, his love of the game keeps him around. It’s a privilege to have played as long as he has.

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On top of that, as a Black-Canadian player, Reaves takes pride in being a role model to the kids that look like him that aspire to play hockey.

“I think it’s an honor to be a Black player in this league and have younger Black players look up to you and kind of look at you and say, ‘you know, I could do that, too.’ I think that’s important to have representation there,” Reaves told USA TODAY Sports. “I think when kids don’t see them represented, it’s harder for them to kind of engage and get into that sport. So, you know, that’s just a way for younger kids to kind of get involved.”

The game has evolved to where Black players in the NHL have become more common, although the sport remains predominantly white. It’s across both genders, too.

Laila Edwards just recently showed the world on the center stage that Black women can do it, too. She broke racial barriers to become the first Black woman to play for Team USA ice hockey, score and win a gold medal at the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Milan.

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Reaves, as the rest of the world, has taken notice.

“I think it shows how quickly the game’s growing. You know, women’s hockey has taken off over the last 10 years especially,” Reaves told USA TODAY Sports. “I think it’s really started to grow, and people are starting to take notice of the talent and to see someone like that representing their country and winning a gold medal is even more special.”

The game grows when representation and diversity is showcased on the biggest stage and history is acknowledged. The Sharks recently held an in-game “Black Excellence Celebration” highlighting the Black history in their franchise.

The team was established in 1990, and their logo was designed by a Black man: Northern…