8.05.2010

recognizing larry kwong, the first asian player in the nhl

Here's a cool article on Larry Kwong, who holds the distinction of being the first Chinese Canadian to play in the National Hockey League: A hockey trailblazer emerges from obscurity.

On March 13, 1948, the New York Rangers called up 24-year-old Larry Kwong from the New York Rovers to play one game against the Montreal Canadiens, making him the very first Asian on the NHL ice.

He only played for one game -- one period, actually, and for not much longer than a minute. But he played. After that, he never got another opportunity again.

Kwong broke a significant racial barrier in professional sports, but for the most part remained an anonymous athletic footnote for many years. It's great to see him get the recognition he deserves.

angry archive