The US Ice Hockey Association has hired a black man as general manager for the first time in its history.
Brett Peterson, who serves as deputy at the NHL club Florida Panthers, has taken over the position for the 2024 World Cup. USA Hockey announced this on Thursday.
Peterson has “done a great job building the Florida Panthers, and his extensive knowledge of our country’s entire player pool will be of great benefit as we build our World Cup team,” said John Vanbiesbrouck, assistant executive director of USA Hockey. The next World Cup will take place in the Czech Republic (Prague and Ostrava) from May 10th to 26th.
Peterson (42) had already made history with his appointment to the Panthers. There has never been a black assistant GM in the white-dominated professional league. Florida was in the Stanley Cup final last season.