Is Kevin weekes the first African American to play hockey?

Answer 1

Weekes is NOT African-American. He is a Canadian citizen of Barbadian parentage (African-Canadian). He is not the first black man to play hockey, nor is he the first black man to play professionally in the NHL. Willie O'Ree was the first to sign an NHL contract and actually play in the league (Boston Bruins, 1957). Hockey is an ancient sport played in some form as early as 2500 B.C., so we can't be sure who the first black player of the game was. There was a professional league in the Canadian Maritimes from 1895-1925. however. A photo gallery of all black NHL players is at http://blackhockeyplayers.webs.com. Also see the book, 'Black Ice: The Lost History of the Colored Hockey League of the Maritimes, 1895-1925.'