Former Calgary Flames right wing Akim Aliu and San Jose Sharks left wing Evander Kane announced Monday they will serve as co-heads of the Hockey Diversity Alliance, meant to "eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey" and "promote diversity at all levels of the game":
Buffalo Sabres right wing Wayne Simmonds, Detroit Red Wings defenseman Trevor Daley, Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba, Philadelphia Flyers right wing Chris Stewart and former San Jose Sharks right wing Joel Ward are involved as the executive committee.
Aliu, who was selected by the Chicago Blackhawks in the second round of the 2007 NHL draft, recently detailed in a Players' Tribune essay the racist abuse he's experienced dating back to his childhood in Canada:
The 31-year-old specifically named Philadelphia Flyers 2005 first-round pick Steve Downie as hazing him while they were teammates for an OHL team in Windsor, Canada:
"First couple of practices he put Tiger Balm in my jock.