Chinese-American ice hockey trailblazer Julie Chu hopes to make sport ‘more visible for minorities’ in women and AAPI community

Legendary US ice hockey player Julie Chu spoke up about the importance of fostering minority communities in the sport as it celebrates Asian-American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

The 39-year-old future Hall of Famer reflected on her ethnic heritage, the impact her gender and culture had as an aspiring player, and unintentionally filling the Asian-American role model role as she went from record-setting Harvard University captain to National Women’s Hockey League (NWHL) star.

“My dad was actually born in [Guangzhou], China. At two years old, because of the Cultural Revolution that was going on there, [the family] went to Hong Kong. From there they came over to the US when he was 16 years old. Definitely a true immigrant with the experience of not having a lot of money, sharing a one-bedroom apartment with three other families ... that was their reality. So I’m very grateful for everything they’ve given me along the way,” Chu said on the NHL’s Soul on Ice podcast.

Despite ice hockey’s reputation as being a male-dominated, brawl-heavy sport, Chu’s parents had no issues with their daughter following in their son’s footsteps and playing in a boys team. Freedom to decide was most important, she explained.

“My parents weren’t about closing doors. They went to the local rink in Bridgeport, Connecticut, suited my brother up in hockey gear and he learned to play. My sister and I went into the stereotypical figure skating role, but I was not a stereotypical kid – kind of like a wrecking ball – so two months later I wanted to play hockey. My parent said yes just because I wanted to, not because of the Olympics or scholarships or anything like that.”