Larry Kwong in New York Rangers uniform, 1946. (From Wikipedia)

Born on June 17, 1923, in Vernon, BC, Larry Kwong (吳啟光) made history on March 13, 1948, by debuting for the New York Rangers, becoming the first Chinese Canadian and person of Asian descent to play in the National Hockey League (NHL). Though his NHL appearance was brief—a single shift—it was a groundbreaking moment, challenging racial barriers in professional sports during an era of significant discrimination against Chinese Canadians and other minorities. Kwong, also known as the 'China Clipper' or 'King Kwong,' faced prejudice that limited his NHL opportunities despite a successful career in senior and minor professional leagues. His perseverance broke a significant colour barrier in hockey, paving the way for future generations of diverse athletes and becoming an inspirational figure for Chinese Canadians in sports.