Chinese Canadian who Broke the NHL Color Barrier Dies

The first minority to play in the National Hockey League has died at the age of 94 in Calgary, reports the Calgary Herald.

Larry Kwong played for the New York Rangers against the Montreal Canadians in 1948, just a year after Jackie Robinson broke the baseball color barrier.

His total time on the ice was just 1 minute, but his impact remains even today.

His popularity inspired two different nicknames, the China Clipper and King Kwong. As the top scorer of his minor league team, the New York Rovers.

Kwong’s close friend, Chad Soon, has vivid memories of Kwong’s New York minute.

“He took a train to Montreal and I think the starting lineup for the Canadiens had five Hall of Fame players,” Soon said to CBC.” “He was doing flips is what I remember him telling me. (His chance) didn’t come until the third period. With just a few minutes left, he finally got the tap and was over the boards.”

Kwong was sent back to the minor leagues and never got a chance to play in the NHL again.

“I think there was a slow burn there, where he was seeing players of lesser ability were getting the opportunity and he wasn’t,” said Soon.

Kwong’s devotion to hockey kept him into the game. He played in senior leagues in both Canada and Europe and became a scoring star.

In 2013, Kwong was inducted into the British Columbia Sports Hall of Fame.
 
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