Tyrell Stokes was the first black player in the Mountain West Hockey League. He was signed by the Las Vegas Hookers in 2013 and played his first game in Aspen versus the Leafs where he scored two goals. The following season, Stokes signed with the San Diego Skates where he played for three seasons and earned two MWHL Cups.
In 2017, Stokes was selected by the Orange County Checkers in an expansion draft. When he stepped onto the ice for the Checkers’ first game on November 17, 2017, Stokes made history once more. On his sweater was the “C” designating him as his team’s captain, the first black player to earn the honor in the MWHL.
This episode of the MWHL Diversity Series tells Tyrell’s story from journeyman player to MWHL Cup champion to respected team captain.
