William Douglas has been writing The Color of Hockey blog since 2012. Douglas joined NHL.com in 2019 and writes about people of color in the sport. Today, he Xavier Abel, a 22-year-old forward from Toronto who is the first player to commit to skate for Tennessee State University, which will become the first historically Black college with a hockey program when it begins play in September.
Color of Hockey: Abel 1st player to commit at Tennessee State University
Historically Black college to begin hockey program in September
![xavier_abel_main](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_png/v1705707158/prd/hrbutcsj0hnxwvgxhoab.png)
© Michael Cignoli
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© Drury University Athletics/Michael Cignoli
![xavier_abel_family](https://media.d3.nhle.com/image/private/t_ratio16_9-size20/f_png/prd/slslqvbhhxegaes9vy3b.png)
© Erica Abel
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© Michael Cignoli
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© Shanna Stafford Photography