John Paris Jr. is a trailblazer in every sense.

A talented hockey player who stood at just 5-foot-5, the Windsor, N.S. native was scouted by Scotty Bowman to play junior hockey in Quebec in the 1960s.

While his playing career was ultimately cut short by his battles with Hodgkin's lymphoma and ulcerative colitis, Paris went on to an amazing coaching career.

Along the way, he made history on countless occasions.

He was the first Black coach in the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League.

He was the first Black scout in the NHL.

He was the first Black general manager in professional hockey.

And in 1994, he became the first Black coach in pro hockey (and oh yeah, he also led the Atlanta Knights to a league championship that season, too).

Of his many accomplishments, though, guiding the Richelieu Riverains to an Air Canada Cup championship in 1987 might just be his proudest hockey accomplishment.

For his many firsts and contributions to the sport, we believe John Paris Jr. should be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a Builder.

Show your support for John Paris Jr. by signing our petition.

Let's get Paris to Toronto.

#ParisToToronto | ParisToToronto.com