In celebration of the NHL’s league-wide “Hockey is for Everyone” initiative during the month of February, the New Jersey Devils will host a panel discussion and screening of the award-winning documentary Soul on Ice: Past, Present & Future at Prudential Center on Sunday, February 12 immediately following the 12:30 p.m. game versus the San Jose Sharks.

A number of special guests will be in attendance at the event and will participate in a panel discussion about the film prior to the screening, including hockey legend Willie O’Ree, the first black player in the NHL; Devils forward Devante Smith-Pelly; former Devils captain Bryce Salvador; former player and television analyst Anson Carter; and Damon Kwame Mason, the film’s director.

Soul on Ice explores the history of black athletes in hockey through stories of black hockey legends and their contributions to the sport, and interviews with current black players in the NHL. The film also showcases young black hockey players’ journeys to the NHL to illustrate the experiences and challenges that today’s aspiring young players face, as well as the growing popularity of the sport among players of color.

Participants from Hockey in New Jersey, the state’s urban youth development program, which the Devils and Prudential have partnered with since the team moved to Newark in 2007, will also be on hand to experience the event. The Devils support Hockey in Newark throughout the year with icetime, an annual equipment drive, special events, volunteers and player interaction.

“The ‘Hockey is for Everyone’ movement has been a driving theme in our year-round efforts to grow and diversify the sport of hockey in Newark and across New Jersey,” said Hugh Weber, President of the New Jersey Devils and Prudential Center, according to a statement about the film screening. “From opening our doors to youth who have never experienced the game to bringing street hockey to the neighborhoods of Newark in the summer, the Devils are fully dedicated to making this sport accessible and enjoyable for anyone that wants to participate.”

Later this month, the Devils will continue their support of Hockey is for Everyone with the team’s annual Pride Night on Monday, February 27 versus Montreal, the first day of the NHL’s Pride Week.

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