Meet Edmonton's Arjun Atwal, the hockey star who walked away from a pro career to build a diverse future for South Asian and BIPOC players
When most athletes get the call to go pro, they pack their bags and don't look back. But Edmonton's Arjun Atwal? He did the exact opposite and it's turning heads across the hockey world.
Instead of heading to Europe to chase a professional hockey career, Atwal chose to build something even more powerful at home: a community where South Asian and BIPOC players could finally see themselves thrive in a game that hasn't always welcomed them. Now, the NHL is giving him his flowers as a finalist for the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award and it's easy to see why.
Arjun Atwal turned down pro hockey dreams to uplift others instead
Atwal isn't just a talented player, he's the real deal.
Once crowned MVP in the Alberta Junior Hockey League and a standout for the University of Calgary, he had professional contract offers on the table from teams in Europe. But the 26-year-old Edmonton native saw something more important than personal stats or shiny trophies: representation.
After spending years being one of the only non-white players in every locker room, he knew firsthand how isolating that could feel.
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'Usually going into teams or rooms and not really seeing anybody who looked like me,'
Atwal told CTV. Instead of ignoring that, he decided to change it for the next generation.
Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award 2025 Finalist: Arjun Atwal
His
AZ1 Hockey
program is changing the game for South Asian and BIPOC athletes
That's where AZ1 Hockey comes in. Founded by Atwal, the program isn't just about drills and ice time, it's about guidance, mentorship, and making sure no kid gets lost in the shuffle just because they don't fit the mold.
AZ1 helps young South Asian and BIPOC players train and navigate hockey's often confusing (and expensive) system.
It's a space where culture, confidence, and skill-building meet, something many kids have never had access to in the world of Canadian hockey.
And it's growing fast. With AZ1 expanding across Canada, the vision is clear: hockey should belong to everyone, not just a select few.
The NHL gives Atwal his flowers with Willie O'Ree Award finalist nod
The NHL is recognizing what Atwal's been quietly building for years. He's one of the finalists for the prestigious Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award, which honors people using hockey to positively impact society.
For Atwal, the nomination isn't about him.
'It's the kids that are making this happen… I'm just one part of the puzzle,'
he said. But let's be real, that one piece is doing a whole lot of heavy lifting. The winner, announced in June, will receive $25,000 for a charity of their choice. Fans can vote daily on the NHL's official site.
Arjun Atwal isn't chasing clout, he's creating change. In turning down pro hockey contracts to invest in his community, he's proving that leadership doesn't always come with a captain's 'C.' Sometimes, it looks like showing up for kids who never saw themselves on the ice before.
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