After clawing his way through juniors and even changing positions, Jason Payne chased his dream of playing professional hockey for 14 years across North America, between seven different leagues and myriad teams, clamoring for opportunities he feels were preconceived by his race.

"I did what I had to do, and I fought every tooth and nail -- and literally," Payne said of his playing career. "And it is what it is, you know? There was just games where I couldn't even hold a stick in my hand. But it is what it was. You had to do what you had to do. And do I regret any of it? No."