“It was awesome. It kind of felt like they were tied together,” Dorrington said. “I’ve been inspired by Willie O’Ree for a long time and the work that he has done after his playing career. I feel like that’s a thing I can do within my community that could influence other people and younger kids.”
Dorrington hopes to honor his cousin and O’Ree by reaching the NHL and join Black former Northeastern defensemen Jordan Harris of the Columbus Blue Jackets and Jayden Struble of the Montreal Canadiens in the League.
Dorrington is one of two Black players on the Huskies roster this season, along with freshman forward Ethan Fredericks.
Grayson Badger, a forward for Alberni Valley of the British Columbia Hockey League, has committed to play for the Huskies next season.
Harris, who is a member of the NHL Player Inclusion Coalition, praised Northeastern’s history of inclusiveness in the Breaking Barriers Night video.
“It’s a tight community and a very welcoming one,” Harris said in the video. “I think it’s really important to share your story, share your voice and relate some of your experiences so that kids can see that, relate to that.”
Northeastern gave 100 tickets for Breaking Barriers Night to participants of SCORE Boston Hockey, a Hockey Is For Everyone affiliate founded in 1995.
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