In this special Black History Month edition of My Hockey Hero, host Dean Barnes sits down with trailblazer John Parris Jr., player, coach, scout, and general manager, to explore what it truly costs to break barriers in hockey and hold the door open for others.

From frozen ponds in rural Windsor, Nova Scotia, to signing with the Montreal Canadiens organization, John reflects on race, resilience, community, and the human connections that shaped his journey through one of the toughest sports in the world.

John Parris Jr. grew up as the only Black family in his town, learning to skate on outdoor ponds and frozen pits before he could comfortably walk. Supported by local community members and his sports-loving father, he rose quickly through youth hockey, often playing above his age group and being named MVP everywhere he went.

John situates his story within a deeper legacy: the Coloured Hockey League and the tightly knit Black communities of Nova Scotia, where hockey was both resistance and self-determination. Rather than waiting for inclusion, Black players formed their own leagues and teams, proving they did not need outside permission to belong in the game.

As he moved into elite levels of hockey, John experienced both the demands of high performance and the importance of solidarity among teammates who protected and supported him on and off the ice. A formative moment came when legendary coach and scout Scotty Bowman visited his family home, offering a clear-eyed, honest conversation about adversity, integrity, and the social realities surrounding the sport.

Despite his talent, John’s playing career was derailed by serious health issues that he initially hid out of fear it would end his opportunities. John Parris Jr. went on to become the first Black elite hockey coach, breaking barriers behind the bench and proving that leadership at the highest levels of the game could look different, and open doors for those who followed.

Throughout the episode, John emphasizes family, community, character, and the idea that once you’ve reached a certain level in sport, you become part of a lifelong family, one that transcends backgrounds and rivalries.

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