LA Kings' Akil Thomas is Pushing for Black Representation in Hockey
Noting that “HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE.”
To cap off Black History Month, the Los Angeles Kings hosted Black History Night February 28 with the team warming up in themed jerseys.
Designed by Canadian-born center Akil Thomas, the Black hockey player crafted the important warmups with his label, ZALE. The special jerseys serve as Thomas’ push for Black representation in hockey, a historically predominantly white sport.
The Black History Month jerseys feature a sleek black base marked with a kente print on the trim and a Black power fist patch, accompanied by a badge noting “HOCKEY IS FOR EVERYONE.” Each player on the Los Angeles Kings team signed their jersey to be auctioned with proceeds going to the Kings Care foundation.
“It was an honor to create the Kings Black history month jerseys. I have two passions being hockey and clothing and for them to connect with such a rich organization with the kings is incredible. Being a black player in a mostly white sport, it felt really cool to represent my people and their history is a super cool way,” said Akil Thomas co-founder of ZALE.
Check out the ZALE x Los Angeles Kings Black History Month warmup jerseys designed by Akil Thomas below.
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In case you missed it, the Los Angeles Kings and UNDEFEATED recently came together for a retro capsule collection.
