As part of Black History Month, Detroit\u2019s Fox 2 News is celebrating a little-known yet monumental moment in Red Wings and NHL history.<\/p>\n
In 1955, the Red Wings signed forward John Utendale. He was a top junior prospect out of Edmonton.<\/p>\n
Utendale was also the first black player to sign a contract with an NHL team.<\/p>\n
\u201cI don\u2019t think he set out to be a trailblazer, but I guess that\u2019s just what a trailblazer is,\u201d Rob Utendale, Utendale\u2019s son, told Fox 2 News. \u201cSomething that just happens.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Utendale was a star player in the junior ranks. With the Edmonton Oil Kings of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League, he was named to the WCJHL All-Star Team in 1954-55.<\/p>\n
On Dec. 18, 1956, Utendale was called up to make his pro debut. He suited up for the Western Hockey League\u2019s Edmonton Flyers, a Red Wings farm club.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m convinced he\u2019s one of the finest skaters I\u2019ve ever seen,\u201d Flyers coach Bud Poile told the Edmonton Journal on the eve of Utendale\u2019s pro bow. Among Utendale\u2019s teammates in Edmonton were future Hall of Famers John Bucyk and Al Arbour.<\/p>\n
Detroit Hockey Now first told of Utendale\u2019s unique mark in hockey history<\/a> four years ago. DHN writer Bob Duff was among those interviewed for the Fox 2 News<\/a> story.<\/p>\n Utendale Never Played For Red Wings<\/p>\n Though he remained active in top-level hockey until 1969, Utendale never made it to the NHL. Willie O\u2019Ree broke the NHL\u2019s color barrier with the Boston Bruins in 1958. Utendale and O\u2019Ree were teammates with the Quebec Aces of the Quebec Hockey League.<\/p>\n While playing senior hockey, Utendale earned his teaching certificate from the University of British Columbia in 1961. He then enrolled at the University of Alberta, earning his Bachelor of Education degree.<\/p>\n Edmonton-born John Utendale, was the first Black hockey player to sign an NHL contract. After hanging up his skates, hockey remained his lifelong passion.<\/p>\n READ IT AGAIN: https:\/\/t.co\/WcZkYWEbJV<\/a>#BlackHistoryMonth<\/a> | #AlbertaBuilt<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/xJ9AWzdaMt<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Hockey Alberta (@HockeyAlberta) February 15, 2023<\/a><\/p>\n Later, Utendale moved to the USA, earning his Master\u2019s degree at Eastern Washington State College. He was hired as a professor by Washington State University. At WSU, he served as academic coordinator for the athletic department and as a member of the Washington State Human Rights Commission, all while earning his Doctorate in Education.<\/p>\n Staying involved in hockey, Utendale served as an assistant training coach with the U.S. Olympic team that won the gold medal at the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympics<\/a>.<\/p>\n Utendale died in 2006 at the age of 69.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s unfortunately not here to see himself get his due,\u201d Duff said. \u201cBut he\u2019s someone who\u2019s obviously a pioneer in hockey. Just because you don\u2019t make the highest grade doesn\u2019t mean you don\u2019t leave a mark for others to follow.\u201d<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t