Reflecting on Racism: What Wayne Simmonds Hockey Legacy Teaches

Wayne Simmonds has been out of the NHL for two years now, but his name still carries weight. On the ice, he was one of the best NHL power forwards. But he was also a player of colour. And, he experienced racism at times throughout his hockey career.

Simmonds remains a significant name in hockey, not merely for his prowess as a power forward but also for his experiences as a player of colour who faced racism throughout his career. After 15 seasons in the league, he retired in 2024 and signed a one-day contract with the Philadelphia Flyers. This move was fitting, as Philadelphia was more than just another stop; it was where he transformed into the player and person he is today.

These days, he hasn’t stepped away from the sport so much as stepped into a different lane. He’s working with the Flyers in community relations and in a hockey ops support role, which feels like a natural fit. If you followed Simmonds at all, you know he’s always been more than just a power forward with a powerful net-front game. He’s someone who understands people. Someone who can talk honestly about the issues that don’t get solved by systems play or special-teams meetings.

Simmonds’ deeper story is that he dealt with ugly moments of racism.

And that’s really where his story hits a deeper note. Throughout his career, Simmonds dealt with things no player should have to face—ugly moments, hurtful moments, the kind of experiences that stick with you long after the final buzzer. Some happened here in Canada, some overseas, but the common thread was always the same. Racism doesn’t care where the rink is.

What made it harder, he’s said, wasn’t just the incidents themselves, but the silence around him. The teammates who didn’t know what to say. The coaching staffs that moved on too quickly. The feeling of carrying something heavy while everyone else skated past it. He felt, as he said, isolated and lonely even when he shouldn’t have.

Simmonds has openly challenged other players to consider issues of racism.

Now that he’s retired, Simmonds has been open about why talking matters. He’s challenged players—especially those who have never had to think twice about these issues—to ask their teammates about their experiences, to listen without defensiveness, and to recognize that the NHL isn’t immune to the problems society faces. His message isn’t complicated: conversations don’t fix everything, but silence fixes nothing.

What makes his voice so important right now is that the world hasn’t magically changed since he first entered the league. The issues he spoke about then are still here. And his reminder—“stand up when something is wrong”—isn’t a slogan. It’s a challenge. For players. For fans. For anyone who cares about the game.

Racism still exists and is sometimes even condoned.

Simmonds’ legacy isn’t just about goals, leadership, or toughness. It’s about refusing to accept that cruelty or ignorance is “just part of the sport” or as part of regular society. Simmonds was about pushing hockey toward the kind of culture it should have. And it’s on the rest of us to keep that conversation going. Especially after what happened today.