That criticism seems to conflate culture with skin. The NHL has a culture where bring the spotlight on individuals is frowned upon (For a long time having a high number on you sweater was considered showboaty). The article wants to call this "white culture" that is unwelcoming to people of colour. That seems wrong to me.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soul_on_Ice_(film)
And consider this criticism of the somewhat rosier picture portrayed in that film:
https://hockeyinsociety.com/2017/03/06/soul-on-ice-the-day-t...