Bill Guerin, who made his NHL debut with the New Jersey Devils in 1992, was the first player of Hispanic descent to play in the league. At the time, Guerin was unaware of this milestone and only learned about it years later.
“I found out like 15 years ago when someone told me. I couldn’t believe it,” Guerin said. “I’m very proud of that. It’s a unique distinction. But even before playing hockey, I was proud of my heritage. That just makes it extra special.”
Guerin played for the Devils from 1992 to 1998 and won the Stanley Cup with them in 1995. He is one of three children born to an immigrant mother from Nicaragua and a father from Massachusetts. His mother, Ligia Delgadillo, moved to America for her education at Ole Miss, encouraged by her father Victor Delgadillo.
“My grandfather had success as a businessman in Nicaragua. But he was raised by his mother, so he sent all of his daughters to the University of Mississippi in the 60s,” Guerin said. “It was so my mother and her sisters never had to rely on a man.”
Ligia attended Ole Miss during a period marked by civil rights struggles but faced these challenges with resilience shaped by her experiences growing up amid political unrest in Nicaragua.
“She used to tell me that there were riots all the time in Nicaragua,” Guerin recalled. “She said, ‘I’m used to tear gas, used to unrest.’ She wasn’t afraid.”
While at university, Ligia met Bill Guerin Sr., who was visiting as part of a Catholic mission trip. They married during a time when interracial marriages were rare and often challenged societal norms.
“They fell in love and moved back to Worcester. It was an interracial marriage back in the 60s for both of them,” Guerin said. “I admire the strength of their love and the courage that they had. The strength of our family to bring my mom in as one of them. She’s a really strong person and we all owe a lot to our mothers.”
The family maintained ties with their Nicaraguan roots through regular visits until political instability made travel unsafe.
“We would go down there every other year and visit my grandparents and cousins, aunts and uncles,” Guerin said.
After travel became difficult due to unrest during the Sandinista Revolution, many relatives relocated within the United States but kept cultural traditions alive at home.
“We always had artifacts hanging around the house and pictures. Little pieces of furniture,” Guerin said about reminders of their heritage at home.
Guerin credits his mother for introducing him to hockey: “My mom was the one who actually got me started in it. Not my dad,” he explained.
He went on to be drafted fifth overall by New Jersey after two seasons at Boston College, paving the way for other Hispanic players such as Scott Gomez and Auston Matthews.
“I think it’s really important. It’s just a connection for kids in the Hispanic community,” he said about representation in hockey.
Guerin enjoyed a lengthy NHL career with over 1,200 games played, scoring more than 400 goals across several teams including New Jersey and Pittsburgh where he won additional Stanley Cups both as player (2009) and executive (2016-17).
He also represented Team USA internationally: “I am so proud to be an American. I’m so proud of my heritage on both sides, the Nicaraguan, the Irish.”
His legacy continues as he prepares to serve as general manager for Team USA at the upcoming 2026 Olympic Games: “Representing your country is one of the greatest honors you can have in any capacity,” he stated.
Reflecting on his achievements—both personal and professional—Guerin noted his family’s pride: “My mom’s proud of it. My dad was from Wooster, Mass, he would probably be prouder of it,” Guerin said.
