Two BC-based writers are bringing to light a Chinese Canadian legacy in our nation’s most beloved sport.

Racism within hockey—a sport known to be dominated by white people—was turned on its head in the 1940s by Chinese Canadian Larry Kwong: the first player of Asian descent to play in the NHL.

Co-authored by teacher Chad Soon and writer/actor George Chiang, the children’s book titled The Longest Shot: How Larry Kwong Changed the Face of Hockey explores Kwong's legacy—starting in 1948, when the Vernon native stepped onto the ice with the New York Rangers. 

Despite facing racism in the sport, Kwong left a mark on its history more than 70 years ago, playing on more local teams such as the Vernon Hydrophones, Trail Smoke Eaters, Nanaimo Clippers, and Red Deer Wheelers.

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The book, written for kids in grades four and five and illustrated by Amy Qi, is a lesson in modern history for young readers.

The Longest Shot was released back in February by Orca Book Publishers, but Soon will be speaking about the book and its inception at the now sold-out Hockey Night in Chinatown event on April 6 at the Chinatown Storytelling Centre.

Soon is a fourth-generation Chinese Canadian from Vancouver Island, currently living and teaching in Vernon. He has been recognized by Kwong's own family and the Vancouver Canucks for his work in preserving Kwong’s memory, being dubbed something of a Larry Kwong historian.

You can purchase the book here.