This is the first of a two-part series examining racism in hockey through the shared experiences of current and former players, coaches, fans, and the media. This story will focus mostly on the on-ice experiences of players and coaches, while the second part will focus more on off-ice issues such as growing the game, hiring processes, and making the game more inclusive for all.
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On Aug. 1, 2021, ahead of a playoff qualifying game between the Edmonton Oilers and the Chicago Blackhawks in the Edmonton bubble, Minnesota Wild defenseman Matt Dumba mustered up his courage and stepped to center ice.
