The NHL is back, and it is officially hockey time. Last season ended with one of the greatest Stanley Cup Finals hockey has ever seen. The Florida Panthers went up 3-0 — only for Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers to win three straight games to force a Game 7. The Florida Panthers would win the game, stopping the Oilers historic 3-0 comeback and earning the Florida Panthers their first-ever championship. With the puck dropping tonight, it got us thinking: who are the best Black professional hockey players?
Quinton Byfield
The best Black hockey player in the NHL today has to be Quinton Byfield. He was drafted 2nd overall in the 2020 NHL Draft by the Los Angeles Kings, which was also historic because he is the highest-drafted Black player in NHL history. He is huge at 6’5. He possesses the size to dominate opponents, and he blends that in with his speed and skill. He totaled 55 points last year, 20 goals and 35 assists, which already shows the amazing potential he has. He is easily the youngest player on this list, so look for him to be the face of Black hockey for the next decade.
Seth Jones
Seth Jones is one of the best defensemen in the NHL without a doubt. Before Byfield, he held the record for highest drafted Black player after the Chicago Blackhawks drafted him fourth overall in 2013. In the decade since he was drafted, he has shown he doesn’t shy away from physicality and that he is a leader. He also contributes on the offensive end as he tallied 31 points last season, including eight goals. The Chicago Blackhawks drafted the future face of the league first overall last year in Connor Bedard. The Blackhawks are extremely grateful that Jones is there to defend and be an enforcer for him.
Evander Kane
Evander Kane is an elite scorer and has arguably been the face of Black hockey since the retirement of P.K. Subban. Kane was drafted fourth overall in 2009 by the now-defunct Atlanta Thrashers and quickly became a fan favorite with his creativity on the ice. In 2022, he joined the Edmonton Oilers, where he’s played the best hockey of his career so far. He finished last season with 44 points, 24 goals and 20 assists, and he helped lead the Edmonton Oilers to the Stanley Cup Finals. He and Connor McDavid make a fierce duo and are expected to be back in the Stanley Cup Final this season.
K’Andre Miller
K’Andre Miller is a defenseman for the New York Rangers — and this season will be his breakout year. He was drafted by the Rangers 22nd overall in 2018, but he did not start his contract until 2021 because he chose to continue playing college hockey. When he finally did arrive in New York the impact was felt immediately. He tallied 12 points, 5 goals and 7 assists in 53 games and was named to the NHL All-Rookie Team in 2021. Since his rookie year, he’s just been growing and getting better, including a solid 2024 season where he tallied 3o points including 22 assists.
