Larry Kwong | |||
---|---|---|---|
Born |
Vernon, British Columbia, Canada | June 17, 1923||
Died |
March 15, 2018 Calgary, Alberta, Canada | (aged 94)||
Height | 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) | ||
Weight | 150 lb (68 kg; 10 st 10 lb) | ||
Position | Right Wing | ||
Shot | Right | ||
Played for | New York Rangers | ||
Playing career | 1941–1959 |
Lawrence Kwong (born Eng Kai Geong (simplified Chinese: 吴启光; traditional Chinese: 吳啟光; pinyin: Wú Qǐguāng); June 17, 1923 – March 15, 2018) was a Canadian professional ice hockey forward and businessman. He is known as the first person of Asian ancestry to play in the National Hockey League (NHL), and the first player to break hockey's color barrier.[1]
Kwong was also the first NHL player from Vernon, British Columbia, and the Okanagan region. Kwong's nicknames included the "China Clipper" (a name later used for CFL player Normie Kwong) and "King Kwong".[2]
From 1941 to 1959, Kwong played for the New York Rangers.
Kwong died March 15, 2018 in Calgary, Alberta of complications from pneumonia at the age of 94.[1][3]