Saturday, February 6, 2021

Celebrating Black History Month: Art Dorrington, first African-American in organized hockey


Arthur "Art" Dorrington, born March 13, 1930 in Nova Scotia, Canada, was the first African-American to sign an NHL contract, when he joined the New York Rangers in 1950.  Unfortunately, he never played in the major leagues, despite having very good statistics.  He played for the Atlantic City Seagulls, the New Haven Tomahawks, Washington Lions, Boston Olympics, Johnstown Jets and the Philadelphia Ramblers.  After he retired from hockey, he became a sheriff's officer for Atlantic County in New Jersey.

He passed away in December 2017.


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