This was more than a moment of reflection.
After NHL players led a two-day postponement of games to keep the focus fixed on racism and social injustice, as well to continue the important conversations around how hockey can be more inclusive and welcoming to everyone, the league returned with a stronger message before its first game back from the reflective pause.
Here’s the complete opening before Game 4 between the Boston Bruins and Tampa Bay Lightning, which began with the league’s pledge to be part of the movement to end racism, and also included messages from the Lightning’s Kevin Shattenkirk, and Boston’s Patrice Bergeron and Brad Marchand.