Breaking: First black player to sign NHL contract has died at age 87

We regretfully report that Art Dorrington, the first black professional hockey player, has passed away.

Judah Dorrington, Art's daughter, announced that he died on December 29th.

"He was a true champion. He had a major impact on this city," Judah said to the Press of Atlantic City's Maxwell Reil.

Dorrington had a huge impact on Atlantic City, as he played for the Atlantic City Sea Gulls of the Eastern Hockey League in 1950.

He joined the city's sheriff office following his retirement from hockey in 1958.

He had signed a contract with the New York Rangers in the 1950's, making him the first black hockey player to ever do so, but a broken leg stalled his career, and he ultimately never made it to the National Hockey League.

He leaves behind an important legacy. He was commissioner of Atlantic City's softball league for over 3 decades, as well as an umpire, and set up the Art Dorrington Foundation with his wife Dorothie in order to teach kids life skills through hockey.

March 15th has been known as 'Art Dorrington Day' since 2015 in Atlantic City.