Willie O’Ree is best known for being the first black player in the NHL. He broke the black colour barrier in the NHL in 1958. O’Ree actually became blind in his right eye two years before his NHL debut with the Boston Bruins, but kept it a secret in order to play. He mostly spent his playing career in the minors, like the WHL, playing until he was 43 years old. There have been 94 black NHL players in the league since O’Ree became the first.
O’Ree faced remarks of racism throughout his entire career, such as “go back to the South” and “how come you’re not picking cotton?”. He didn’t let those comments get to him, he just wanted to be a hockey player. Today, NHL players are required to enroll in a preseason diversity training seminar. Since 1998, O’Ree has been the NHL’s Diversity Ambassador, traveling across America to schools and hockey programs to promote messages of inclusion, dedication, and confidence.
Honor’s
In 2018, Willie O’Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder. Also in 2018, the NHL instituted the annual Willie O’Ree Community Hero Award, which recognizes the individual who has worked to make a positive impact on his or her community, culture, and society to make people better through hockey. O’Ree was named into Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as a builder in 2020.
In 2003, O’Ree was awarded the Lester Patrick Trophy, honoring his contribution to hockey. He also has a community rink named in his honor near Allston, MA.
In 2019, a documentary “Willie” was made, detailing his incredible and trailblazing journey in the sport of hockey and inclusion.
“Willie” Trailer
Until Next Time
∼RJ
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