Edmonton finalist for NHL award gives back by helping South Asian, BIPOC players

A hockey player that turned down professional contracts to play in Europe to help the next generation reach their hockey goals is being recognized by the NHL.

An Edmontonian has put his hockey dreams aside in order to push the next generation of players further.

Now, he’s being recognized by the National Hockey League for his work in the community.

Arjun Atwal is breaking down barriers for South Asian hockey players.

The 26-year-old grew up playing hockey in south Edmonton, once won the Alberta Junior Hockey League’s most-valuable player award and spent our years competing for the University of Calgary. He turned down professional contracts in Europe to pursue his business: AZ1 Hockey.

Atwal says he wants to help the next generation of hockey players reach their goals.

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“Giving back to the kids and seeing what they do, the effort they put in the smiles on their faces, is worth much more than playing pro hockey for me,” he told CTV News Edmonton last week.

AZ1 Hockey focuses on helping South Asian and Black, Indigenous and people of colour (BIPOC) hockey players train and navigate their way through the game.

“I had a 20-year career, and being one per cent or even less, maybe 0.5 per cent,” he said of how many non-white players he played with over the years. “Usually going into teams or rooms (and) not really seeing anybody who looked like me.”

AZ1 Hockey is expanding across Canada, and Atwal’s efforts are being noticed.

He is a finalist for the NHL’s Willie O’Ree community hero award, which is given to someone who positively impacts society through the game of hockey.

“It’s the kids that are making this happen. it’s really not me,” Atwal said. “I’m just one part of the puzzle and putting things together.”

Voting can be done daily on the NHL’s website. The winner will be announced in June and will receive $25,000 for the charity of their choice.

With files from CTV News Edmonton’s Evan Kenny