Zechariah Thomas, a 21-year-old Jamaican-born entrepreneur, is making waves in the hockey industry with the launch of Swift Hockey, the first Black-owned hockey stick brand to receive NHL certification. Based in Oshawa, Ontario, Swift Hockey is revolutionizing accessibility to the sport by producing high-quality, affordable sticks for players of all backgrounds.
Thomas’s journey into entrepreneurship was inspired by his own experiences as a young hockey player. Growing up immersed in the sport, he witnessed firsthand the financial strain faced by families unable to afford expensive hockey equipment, particularly sticks. Determined to make a difference, Thomas founded Swift Hockey with the vision of breaking down barriers and making hockey more inclusive, especially within Black communities.
Using $100,000 earned through his e-commerce ventures, Thomas launched Swift Hockey in 2022, driven by a passion to create change in an industry historically dominated by white players and businesses. Despite initial reservations about revealing his identity as the founder of a Black-owned company in a predominantly white sport, Thomas courageously stepped forward, defying systemic barriers and stereotypes.
Navigating challenges of racism within the hockey industry, Thomas and his dedicated team persevered, driven by their shared commitment to promoting diversity and inclusion. Their efforts gained national attention after Thomas appeared on Dragons’ Den in September 2023, where he pitched Swift Hockey and shared his inspiring story.
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Despite his initial apprehensions, Thomas received overwhelming support from fellow hockey players, particularly Black athletes who embraced his brand with enthusiasm. This groundswell of support led to a landmark partnership with Jamaican business mogul Wes Hall, further propelling Swift Hockey into the spotlight.
For Thomas, Swift Hockey is more than just a business venture; it’s a platform for meaningful change. With partnerships extending to the Jamaican national hockey team, Thomas is breaking down stereotypes and opening doors for underrepresented communities in the sport.
Reflecting on his journey, Thomas emphasizes that Swift Hockey’s mission transcends financial success. “It’s not about making a million dollars,” he shares. “I really want to change the industry as it was something I was also affected by growing up.”
As Swift Hockey continues to gain momentum, Zechariah Thomas stands as a trailblazer, challenging norms and championing diversity in the hockey world. With each stick produced and each barrier broken, Thomas is reshaping the landscape of the sport, inspiring future generations of players to dream big and defy expectations.