Youth hockey coach Neal Henderson, a co-founder of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, the oldest minority hockey club in North America, has been named an inductee to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Live and Upcoming Newsletters Full Event Replays Apps. Game (mins) Blog Behind the Cage. But there were plenty of others who spoke about Henderson's impact and the significance of his induction. "It's amazing, it takes your breath away," said Henderson, who started North America's oldest minority-oriented youth hockey program. "I am honored to receive this recognition, and I am proud of our work to build a strong and united community around the game of hockey," Henderson said Wednesday. "This is a well-deserved induction into the (U.S.) Hockey Hall of Fame.". Neal Henderson, founder and coach of Washington, D.C.'s Fort Dupont Ice Hockey club, becomes the first black inductee into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame https://t.co/hUaQ2Jskjl â TheColorOfHockey (@ColorOfHockey) September 4, 2019 âItâs truly a remarkable Class,â said Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey in a press release. All NHL logos and marks and NHL team logos and marks depicted herein are the property of the NHL and the respective teams and may not be reproduced without the prior written consent of NHL Enterprises, L.P. © NHL 2021. He heard kind words spoken about his program, the Fort Dupont Cannons, from the likes of Bettman, Alex Ovechkin and Capitals owner Ted Leonsis and also received a video tribute. WASHINGTON -- Neal Henderson never dreamed that he would become the first black elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame when he founded the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club in 1978. NHL, the NHL Shield, the word mark and image of the Stanley Cup, the Stanley Cup Playoffs logo, the Stanley Cup Final logo, Center Ice name and logo, NHL Conference logos, NHL Winter Classic name, and The Biggest Assist Happens Off The Ice are registered trademarks and Stanley Cup Qualifiers name and logo, NHL.TV, Vintage Hockey word mark and logo, The Game Lives Where You Do, NHL Winter Classic logo, NHL Heritage Classic name and logo, NHL Stadium Series name and logo, NHL All-Star logo, NHL Face-Off name and logo, NHL. Neal Henderson talks about entering the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame later this year and how he co-founded the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey ⦠Assists. "I never thought it my lifetime that I would be in a situation like this. The Zamboni word mark and configuration of the Zamboni ice resurfacing machine are registered trademarks of Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc.© Frank J. Zamboni & Co., Inc. 2021. I never thought that I would be a person on anyone's thought pattern that would be on the scale of something so great.". Over the last 40 years, Henderson ⦠"Hockey is a tool. "His longstanding commitment to cultivating leaders through hockey, on and off the ice, does not go without notice, and we are excited Coach Neal is receiving one of hockey's most prestigious honors. Neal Henderson For the last 40-plus years, Neal Henderson (Upper Marlboro, Md.) âItâs truly a remarkable Class,â said Jim Smith, president of USA Hockey.âEach of the five inductees have their own unique and ⦠His son, Neal Henderson II, and his friends would practice hockey in the familyâs driveway. "Neal Henderson is a pioneer in hockey in the Washington and Baltimore communities," Capitals owner Ted Leonsis said. COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. â Gary Bettman, Brian Gionta, Neal Henderson, Tim Thomas and Krissy Wendell will be enshrined into the United States Hockey Hall of Fame as the Class of 2019, it was announced today by USA Hockey. This video file cannot be ⦠Known as the Cannons, Henderson’s developmental program is designed to provide local and inner-city youth skaters with the opportunity to both learn the game of hockey and participate in an organized league. Henderson was preaching that âHockey is for Everyoneâ long before tit became the NHLâs mantra. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former NHL forward Brian Gionta, youth coach Neal Henderson and American women's player Krissy Wendell were also named to the 2019 class of the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Enter Search Term. Neal Henderson, one of the co-founders of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, will be inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame in December. WASHINGTON -- Neal Henderson thought it would be a one-shot thing. The oldest minority hockey league in North America, Fort Dupont offers young hockey enthusiasts aged 8 to 18 a chance to hone their skills as hockey players while also using the sport to establish a sense of community, self-esteem and purpose. But it is here! "Coach Henderson embodies the best values of the District of Columbia and its residents," Norton said. The 82-year-old will join Henry Boucha, who is Native American, and Minnesota Wild general manager Bill Guerin, who has Nicaraguan roots, as the only people of color in the U.S. Hall of Fame when he's formally inducted at a ceremony in Washington on Dec. 12. [ more ] Hockey Day Preview: Neal Henderson helps kids through hockey in Washington, D.C. (Video) All rights reserved. Quigley Statement on Neal Hendersonâs Selection for the Hockey Hall of Fame Join Facebook to connect with Neal Henderson and others you may know. "To be recognized by USA Hockey, to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, is kind of an acknowledgement for all those years of hard work and being a pathfinder and a wall-breaker, if you will, for an entire culture," said Featherstone, who was the first black captain of the United States Naval Academy hockey team in the 1990s. Use arrows to navigate between autocomplete results. By using NHL websites or other online services, you consent to the practices described in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service, including our Cookie Policy. Duante Abercrombie, another Henderson pupil, is now the head coach of the Washington Little Capitals 16U National Team, a program with a track record of developing players who go on to NCAA hockey programs and junior leagues like the USHL.. Fort Dupont became the model for programs like the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation and similar ⦠The 34-year-old Abercrombie came up through the historic Washington, D.C., Fort Dupont Hockey Club and was mentored by Neal Henderson, the first Black man inducted into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. A natural mentor, Henderson noticed a greater demand for organized hockey in his home of Washington D.C. in the late 1970s. That really meant a lot, having his support that way.". Henderson started the Fort Dupont program at the urging of his son, who wanted him to teach the game to him and his neighborhood friends. All NHL team jerseys customized with NHL players' names and numbers are officially licensed by the NHL and the NHLPA. NEAL HENDERSON, head coach/founder of Washington, D.C.âs Fort Dupont Hockey Club. Any other third party trademarks or copyrights are the property of their respective owners. When I first heard the news, I did not believe it. WASHINGTON, D.C. â On Thursday night, the US Hockey Hall of Fame enshrined its five newest honorees in a ceremony held in downtown Washington DC. It will only make you stronger because it makes you a team player, it makes you understand how the other person thinks, how he feels, how he moves, even if you're behind a desk.". "It was, like, 'Hey, Coach is still with me,' It's not like I left and was 'out of sight, out of mind,' and he's bringing Duante out to watch my games. All Rights Reserved. has dedicated his life to spreading the game of hockey and using the sport to provide lifelong lessons to youth in America. He prides himself on building good people who happen to be good hockey players like Featherstone and Duante Abercrombie, a Cannons alum who briefly played minor league hockey and now coaches the Washington Little Capitals 16U National Team, which has produced several collegiate and junior players. The Cannons inspire me every day with their perseverance, passion and drive for the sport and I share this honor with them. That's where it (Fort Dupont) has been the biggest model. ", [RELATED: Bettman among five elected to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame]. Welcome to NHL.com, the official site of the National Hockey League, Bienvenue à LNH.com , le site officiel de la Ligue nationale de hockey, ÐобÑо пожаловаÑÑ Ð½Ð° NHL.com, оÑиÑиалÑнÑй ÑÐ°Ð¹Ñ ÐаÑионалÑной Ñ Ð¾ÐºÐºÐµÐ¹Ð½Ð¾Ð¹ лиги, Tervetuloa NHL:n viralliselle nettisivustolle NHL.comiin, Välkommen till NHL.com, NHL:s officiella web-sida, VÃtejte na NHL.com, oficiálnÃch stránkách National Hockey League, Vitajte na NHL.com, oficiálnych stránkach National Hockey League, Willkommen auf NHL.com, der offiziellen Seite der National Hockey League, Bienvenido a NHL.com, el sitio oficial de la National Hockey League. On Wednesday, the NHL announced the five people set to be inducted to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame on December 12th, 2019. "The kids have an avenue within their reach; they know where that place is, their families know where that place is. A natural mentor, Henderson noticed a greater demand for organized hockey in his home of Washington D.C. in the late 1970s. It serves about 50 players ages 8 to 18 at no charge; however, participants are required to adhere to strict academic standards. ", Video: Inductees for the 2019 U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Our alumni have become trailblazers in their own right, and the ripple effect of their work stretches far beyond the District. "We are fortunate to have an advocate for hockey such as Henderson who consistently brings joy to the sport while sharing his wealth of knowledge with kids. OâRee, known as the Jackie Robinson of ice hockey, was the first black player in the National Hockey League (NHL) and is a Hockey Hall of Fame inductee. Congressional Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton, a hockey caucus member who represents the District of Columbia, put a statement into the Congressional record congratulating Henderson on his selection. In addition to growing the game locally with the Cannons, Henderson was integral in laying the foundation for the NHL’s early Hockey is for Everyone program, a nation-wide initiative that seeks to drive positive social change and inclusivity throughout the hockey community. And the Fort Dupont program he started more than 40 years ago has inspired others in major metropolitan areas to follow suit and positively influence youth in their communities. The native of St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands developed a love for hockey while living in St. Catharines, Ontario, where his father was stationed as a Merchant Marine during World War II. This website is powered by SportsEngine's. A native of St. Croix who fell in love with the sport while growing up in Canada, he relocated to the suburbs of Washington, D.C., early in the 1970s, when the city didnât have a public hockey rink. (Linda Davidson/The Washington Post) Henderson had an outpatient procedure Wednesday and wasn't on the conference call with the other four members of the Class of 2019 -- NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, longtime NHL players Tim Thomas and Brian Gionta, and two-time Olympian Krissy Wendell. Among them are NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, former NHL players and Stanley Cup winners Tim Thomas and Brian Gionta, two-time U.S. Olympian Krissy Wendell, and co-founder of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, Neal Henderson. The selection committee and others from Washington and beyond lauded Henderson as a hockey pioneer who has helped grow a generation of minority players and fans. NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former NHL players Brian Gionta and Tim Thomas, Olympian Krissy Wendell, and community leader Neal Henderson were recognized as the US HHOFâs Class of 2019.. Henderson has remained active in the program despite undergoing joint surgeries, caring for his ailing wife, skating in an old ice rink in what was one of Washington's tougher neighborhoods and fretting about how the free, nonprofit program would pay its bills. I thought the NHL would be gone for another two months. Henderson's work with Fort Dupont Ice Arena and D.C.'s minority hockey programs is part of our community, and he is a true ambassador for the sport of hockey.". Soon, Henderson starting renting ice time at the local Fort Dupont Ice Arena to accommodate players, and in 1978, he co-founded the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club in the D.C. area. "The point that endeared me to Coach the most is when he showed up to my Naval Academy games," Featherstone said. The NHL has updated its Privacy Policy effective January 16, 2020. Henderson "has been a leader in the community and has contributed immensely to advancing the sport in Washington, D.C., and beyond," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly said. "More than 40 years ago, we started the Cannons program to bring hockey to kids in Washington, D.C., who otherwise would have a chance to play and now it has turned into something we could not have imagined. Rep. Mike Quigley, D-Ill., co-chair of the Congressional Hockey Caucus, said, "Thanks to the Cannons and the team of volunteers built by Coach Henderson, over 1,000 underserved and minority children have been given the opportunity to play ice hockey.". NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, Tim Thomas, Brian Gionta, Neal Henderson and Krissy Wendell comprise the 2019 class of the United States Hockey Hall of ⦠Neal Henderson, co-founder of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club and U.S. Watch NFL NHL NBA MLB Soccer NASCAR Motors Golf Horses Oly NCAA FB On Her Turf PLL Skating Rugby Dog Show NCAA BK AA Bowl Tennis Cycling MMA NBC Sports Gold MORE. If no results appear, use Enter to do a full site search. Henderson was inducted along with NHL greats Tim Thomas and Brian Gionta, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and U.S. Olympian Krissy Wendell. â Coach Neal Henderson. Neal Henderson is the familiar face of D.C. minority hockey View Photos Henderson, 76, is the founder of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, which gives kids of all colors a chance to learn the sport. Hits. The ⦠For the last 40-plus years, Neal Henderson (Upper Marlboro, Md.) by For over 40 years, Neal Henderson has become an ice hockey icon in Washington D.C., founding the Fort Dupont Cannons at the Fort Dupont Ice Arena in 1978. A finalist for the inaugural Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award in 2018, Henderson and the Cannons were celebrated by the Stanley Cup champion Washington Capitals for their contribution to the spread of hockey in Washington, D.C. At age 82, Henderson is still going strong and making an impact on the lives of young people. "From my perspective, it's just the grassroots effort to diversify the sport from within the neighborhood," said Rico Phillips, founder of the Flint (Michigan) Inner-City Youth Hockey Program and the recipient of the NHL's 2019 Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award. Among them are NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman, former NHL players and Stanley Cup winners Tim Thomas and Brian Gionta, two-time U.S. Olympian Krissy Wendell, and co-founder of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, Neal Henderson. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman headlines the 2019 class of the United States Hockey Hall of Fame. It's no coincidence that when the Washington Capitals won the Stanley Cup in 2018, they brought it to the Fort Dupont Ice Arena to share it with Henderson and his Cannons. William Douglas, Bettman among five elected to U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Experience My Stats. Neal Henderson, the founder and head coach of the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club, shares a laugh with player Jaronte Jones, left, and McKahlyn Rushing at a postgame pizza party. Henderson joins NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, former NHL players Tim Thomas and Brian Gionta, and former U.S. Olympic womenâs hockey player Krissy Wendell in the class of 2019. Since its inception, Henderson’s league has successfully established hockey as a medium to build character, teach life skills and instill positive values in thousands of youth skaters in the D.C. area. Henderson's program became a model for programs such as New York's Ice Hockey in Harlem, the Ed Snider Youth Hockey Foundation in Philadelphia and SCORE Boston Hockey, USA Hockey spokesman Dave Fischer said. In addition, Jack Blatherwick, was awarded the Lester Patrick award. ", Lt. Col. Ralph Featherstone, a Fort Dupont alum who's the commanding officer of the U.S. Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 225 based in San Diego, called Henderson's selection "a milestone.". Neal Henderson talks about entering the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame later this year and how he co-founded the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club Neal Henderson couldnât find a place to teach his son to play hockey. 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Neal Henderson, the founder and coach of the Fort Dupont ice hockey program, learned the sport in Ontario, where his father was stationed during World War II. "If you can do six things at one time, as hockey has you to do, you can do anything. Henderson also uses the club to provide players the chance to explore new cities and attend college visits while traveling for games. All Rights Reserved. Neal Henderson of the Fort Dupont Hockey Club is a finalist for the 2018 Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award (Video Courtesy www.383pictures.com) Nearly a half century later, the program has helped put kids, many of them disadvantaged, on paths toward success by using hockey as a way to preach the importance of teamwork, responsibility, punctuality, manners and the value of staying in school and pursuing an education. The event also honored NHL alumni and Olympians Brian Gionta and Tim Thomas, Olympian Krissy Wendell, Fort Dupont Ice Arena Founder Neal Henderson and NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman who were formally enshrined into the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame. Neal Henderson is on Facebook. We encourage you to review it carefully. WASHINGTON -- Neal Henderson never dreamed that he would become the first black elected to the U.S. Hockey Hall of Fame when he founded the Fort Dupont Ice Hockey Club in 1978. I tell kids this all the time," he said. Goals. NHL.com is the official web site of the National Hockey League. The NHL uses cookies, web beacons, and other similar technologies.
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