Keller's Korner: Jews In Hockey

David and Cecil go back to the very first Jewish family with Aaron Hart that settled in Canada. It was in 1924 when Samuel Rothschild became the very first Jewish NHL skater. Ironically, Samuel’s family were the very first Jewish settlers in Sudbury, Ontario.

Over the years, Jewish people have played an important role in the NHL. Gary Bettman has been the NHL Commissioner since 1993. There have been Jewish NHL skaters over the years, but in the last two years the number of participants is at an all-time highest in numbers.

Among the top players is Adam Fox of the New York Rangers. Adam has been named to the All-Star team twice and won the Norris Trophy for best defenseman in the NHL.

Zach Hyman of the Edmonton Oilers is an offensive machine. I expect Zach to pass Matt Schneider for the most goals by a Jewish player. Zach wears jersey #18 for “Chai.”

What would the NHL be without the three Hughes brothers? Ellen Weinberg-Hughes is the proud mother of Jack, Luke and Quinn who are all playing in the NHL. Ellen is part of the very first American family to have all siblings to be drafted in the first round.

Jack Hughes is a star for the New Jersey Devils. At just 23 years old, he has already been named three times to the NHL All-Star team. He is younger than Zach Hyman and could easily become the all-time scoring leader for Jewish skaters.

Luke Hughes also plays for the New Jersey Devils. Just 21 years old, Luke was named to the All-Rookie team. The oldest sibling is Quinn at the age of 24 years old. He plays for the Vancouver Canucks. Just like his brother Jack, he is a scoring machine. He is the captain of the Canucks, was voted to the All-Star team last and won the Norris trophy.

Until recently, few fans knew that Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman was Jewish. That might be because he is from Anchorage, Alaska but his father is Jewish and Jeremy had a Bar Mitzvah.

Other top players include Jakob Chychrun of the Washington Capitals. Jakob grew up in Boca Raton and has a Jewish mother. Other current players include Andre Burakovsky of the Seattle Kraken, Mark Friedman of the Vancouver Canucks, Jordan Harris of the Columbus Blue Jackets (he is Jewish and African American), Luke Kunin of the San Jose Sharks (by the way, the Sharks have a Jewish Head Coach named Ryan Warsofsky), Jason Zucker of the Buffalo Sabres, and Jake Walman of the San Jose Sharks.

We might see Cole Guttman get promoted back to the Chicago Blackhawks and Devon Levi return to the Buffalo Sabres. I predict that Zeev Buium, who is just 19 years old and his brother Shai, 21, will be playing in the NHL very soon. More coming to the ice.

Neil Keller is a Jewish historian. To learn who is Jewish, visit his website at: www.NeilKeller.com