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Penguins defenseman P.O. Joseph visits Black youth hockey camp

Hockey is a sport that hasn't always embraced Black players

Penguins defenseman P.O. Joseph visits Black youth hockey camp

Hockey is a sport that hasn't always embraced Black players

CLASSES RESUME IN THE CITY AUGUST 25. >> THEY WAY TO THE NHL IS NOT EASY. I THINK IT NEEDS MORE THAN WHAT YOU LOOK LIKE, WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN. ANDREW: THAT’S WHY THIS PITTSBURGH PENGUIN SURPRISED KIDS AT THISUT BLER COUNTY HOCKEY CAMP TONIGHT. THESE EAR KIDS WHO FACE SOME UNIQUE CHALLENGES. EMBRACING A GAME THAT HAS NOT WAALYS EMBRACED THOSE WHO LOOK LIKE THEM. TONIGHT, THAT PENGUIN PLAYER WHO HOPES TO HELP THEM CHANGE THE FUTURE FACE OF HOCKEY. >> THEIR FESAC MEANT EVERYTHING TO ME. EIRTH EYES GOT BIG. ANDREW: THOSE SMILES CAME TO THESE YOUNG PLAYERS BECAUSE THEY GOT TO LEARN THE GAME FROM A PITTSBURGH PENGUIN. A PENGUIN WHO LOOKS JUST LEIK THEM. >> I ALWAYS LOOKED UP TO BLACK ATHLETES GROWING UP. GROWING UP IN MONTREAL WHEN PK WAS TRHEE, I WAS LOOKING AFTER HIM FOR A WHILE. SO I HOPE I CAN BE THEIR PK SOMEDAY. ANDREW: P.K. IS NHL STAP.R K. SUBBAN. ONE OF THE YOUNG KIDS HE INFLUENCED, P.O. JOSEPH, ONE THE PENGUINS BRIGHT YOUNG STARS. HE ADMITS IT WAS NOT ALWAYS EASY GROWING UP. >> WE JUST REALLY SURROUNDED OURSELVES WITH GREAT PEOPLE AND DID NOT CARE ABOUT OUR SKIN COLOR AND DID NOT HAVE MUCH PROBLEMS GROWING UP. I FELT LIKE OUR FAMILY WOULD PROTECT US TOO FROM STUFF LIKE THAT. ANDREW: TONIGHT, HE JOINED THESE KIDS AT THE WILLIE O’REE ACADYEM IN CRANBERRY, BUTLER COUNTY, DESIGNED TO ENCOURAGE YOG BLACK HOCKEY PLAYE.RS >> BEING THE FIRST IS NEVER EASY. FOR JACKIE ROBINSON IT WAS NOT EASY AND AND I ASSUME FOR WILLIE BACK THEN IT WAS NOT EASY. ANDREW: NOW IT’S P.O. CONTINUING O’REE’S LEGACY, SHOWING THAT HOCKEY IS TRULY FOR EVERYONE >> EVERY TIME I ASK OF SOMEONE KNOWS WILLIE, THEYAY S NO, I TRY TO TEACH THEM ABOUT HIM. AND DHEID SO MUCH TO ALLOW US TO PLAY IN THIS LEAGUE. ANDREW: AND WHAT DOES SUCCESS LOOK WHEN IT COMES TO DIVERSITY IN THE NHL? JOSEPH SAYS IT’S NOT ABOUT THE NUMBER OF PLAYERS OF COLOR ON THE ICE, RATHER, IT’S THAT THEY ARE JUDGED ON THEIR HARD W
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Penguins defenseman P.O. Joseph visits Black youth hockey camp

Hockey is a sport that hasn't always embraced Black players

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman P.O. Joseph surprised kids at the Willie O'Ree Academy, a hockey camp in Butler County designed to encourage young, Black hockey players.The program is even named for the first Black hockey player."The way to the NHL is not easy," Joseph said. "I think it needs more than what you look like, what do you believe in."Hockey is a sport that hasn't always embraced Black players, so the hockey camp was excited to learn the game from a Pittsburgh Penguin who looks just like them."I always looked up to Black athletes growing up," Joseph said. "Growing up in Montreal when P.K. was there, I was looking after him for a while, so I hope I can be their P.K. Subban one day."P.K. Subban is a Black NHL star who influenced Joseph. Joseph admitted it wasn't always easy growing up.But now, Joseph is continuing O'Ree's legacy, showing that hockey is truly for everyone.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman P.O. Joseph surprised kids at the Willie O'Ree Academy, a hockey camp in Butler County designed to encourage young, Black hockey players.

The program is even named for the first Black hockey player.

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"The way to the NHL is not easy," Joseph said. "I think it needs more than what you look like, what do you believe in."

Hockey is a sport that hasn't always embraced Black players, so the hockey camp was excited to learn the game from a Pittsburgh Penguin who looks just like them.

"I always looked up to Black athletes growing up," Joseph said. "Growing up in Montreal when P.K. [Subban] was there, I was looking after him for a while, so I hope I can be their P.K. Subban one day."

P.K. Subban is a Black NHL star who influenced Joseph. Joseph admitted it wasn't always easy growing up.

But now, Joseph is continuing O'Ree's legacy, showing that hockey is truly for everyone.