Fred Sasakamoose became the first Aboriginal hockey player in the NHL when he was drafted by the Chicago Blackhawks. Leach never got the chance to meet up much with Sasakamoose until after Leach retired in 1984. Fred Sasakamoose made history as the first Indigenous player in the NHL. Despite the trailblazing of Sasakamoose, Leach and others who followed, the NHL lags in its inclusion efforts around Indigenous people, said Leach. "It doesn't matter what little community, they have leagues and play and play and play and play.

Source: CBC News November 25, 2020 16:25 UTC