Celebrating Native American Heritage Month: Clarence "Taffy" Abel, first Native American to play in the NHL

Clarence "Taffy" Abel, born May 28, 1900 in Sault St. Marie, Michigan, has achieved a lot of firsts for Native Americans.  His wikipedia page says he is was a member of the Ojibwe tribe, but the video below says he was from the Sioux tribe of the Chippewas.  

He was the first Native American to be a US Olympic flag bearer for the US at the 1924 Winter Olympics where he was a silver medalist in ice hockey.  In 1926 he signed with the New York Rangers, becoming the first Native American to play in the National Hockey League.  He was part of the team when they won the Stanley Cup in the 1927-1928 season.

He went to the Chicago Black Hawks and helped them win the Stanley Cup in the 1933-1934 season.  He retired afterwards.

He passed away in August 1964. 

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.