Akim Aliu & The Hockey Diversity Alliance
Akim was ten years old when he first was introduced to the game of hockey, starting with a pair of garage sale skates, four sizes too big. Within three years, Akim was playing for the prestigious Toronto Marlboros Hockey Club. Akim officially turned pro at 19 years old with the Rockford Ice Hogs of the American Hockey League and shortly after made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames in 2012, notching 2 points in his first appearance.
Akim was ten years old when he first was introduced to the game of hockey, starting with a pair of garage sale skates, four sizes too big. Within three years, Akim was playing for the prestigious Toronto Marlboros Hockey Club. Akim officially turned pro at 19 years old with the Rockford Ice Hogs of the American Hockey League and shortly after made his NHL debut with the Calgary Flames in 2012, notching 2 points in his first appearance.
Over his 11-year professional career, Akim has spent time at every top level of hockey across North America and Europe.
Akim has been a leader in the drive for change within the Hockey community and society as a whole for racial equality, diversity and for increased accessibility for BIPOC youth into sports, particularly the game of hockey. Outside of his life on the ice, Akim sits on the Board of Directors of McCormick Arena in Toronto, which is where he stepped on the ice for the first time.
Akim is also the Founder and Chairman of the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA), and founded his own personal Time to Dream Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged youth succeed in life through sport. Akim has been recognized by Maclean’s magazine as being one of the Top 50 most influential Canadians in 2020 and has also dawned the cover of Sports Illustrated magazine.
Akim shared more about the Hockey Diversity Alliance below:
How and why was the HDA formed?
The Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) was formed in 2020 to eradicate racism and intolerance in hockey and promote diversity at all levels of the game. The HDA was founded by NHL alumni and current players including: Alim Aliu, Evander Kane, Trevor Daley, Anthony Duclair, Matt Dumba, Nazem Kadri, Wayne Simmonds, Chris Steward and Joel Ward. The HDA are committed to inspiring new and diverse generation of hockey players and fans. Their goal is to provide opportunities for all players to play the sport.
What on the ground work are the HDA doing?
The HDA provides resources and support to all levels of hockey. Our on the ground initiatives include the likes of Grassroots hockey development and equipment programs, Anti-racism and unconscious bias education programs, Social justice initiatives in support of black, indigenous and racialized communities as well as fundraising.
Check our resources related to accessibility and combatting intolerance in hockey in Canada on our website.
The Time to Dream Foundation aims to make youth sports, including the game of hockey, more diverse, inclusive, affordable and accessible to all, regardless of race, gender and socioeconomic background - to learn more visit their website.
To learn more about the HDA follow them on:
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