Willie O'Ree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willie O'ReeCM ONB |
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| Hockey Hall of Fame, 2018 (Builder) | |||
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O'Ree in 2020
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| Born | October 15, 1935 Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada |
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| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 1958–1979 | ||
William Eldon O'Ree (born October 15, 1935) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player. He is famous for being the first Black player in the National Hockey League (NHL). O'Ree played as a winger for the Boston Bruins. His amazing achievement of breaking the colour barrier in the NHL led many to call him the "Jackie Robinson of hockey." He even met Jackie Robinson when he was younger! In 2018, O'Ree was added to the Hockey Hall of Fame. The NHL also created the annual Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award in his honor.
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Early Life and Hockey Dreams
William Eldon O'Ree was born on October 15, 1935, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He was the youngest of nine children. His grandparents had escaped slavery in the United States. They found freedom in Canada through the Underground Railroad. Fredericton had only a small Black population when O'Ree was growing up.
Willie started skating when he was just three years old. He began playing organized hockey at age five. He often used his family's backyard rink to practice. When the weather was good, he would even skate to school! O'Ree wrote in his book, The Willie O’Ree Story: Hockey’s Black Pioneer, that his skin color was never an issue on the early rinks.
When Willie was 14, his older brother Richard taught him how to bodycheck. Willie also played baseball and was a talented player. A sportswriter once predicted he could become as great as Jackie Robinson. At 15, O'Ree played for the Fredericton Falcons in the playoffs. He later played for the Fredericton Capitals.
Willie O'Ree's NHL Journey
Willie O'Ree started playing hockey outside his home province in 1954. He joined the Quebec Frontenacs. He played for several junior teams in Quebec and Ontario. In 1955, he signed with the Quebec Aces.
During his second season with the Quebec Aces, O'Ree got a big chance. He was called up to play for the Boston Bruins in the NHL. This happened because another player was sick. Two years before, O'Ree had been hit by a puck. This accident left him blind in his right eye. He kept this a secret from the Bruins. If they had known, he might not have been allowed to play in the NHL.
On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree made history. He played his first NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens. He became the first Black player ever in the league! He played two games that year. In the 1960–61 season, O'Ree played 43 games for the Bruins.
Facing Challenges on the Ice
Willie O'Ree faced many challenges during his hockey career. He experienced racial insults from fans and even other players. During a game against the Chicago Blackhawks, a player hit O'Ree. This knocked out two of his front teeth and broke his nose. O'Ree fought back, hitting the player with his stick. He remembered fans yelling racist names at him. He said he was "lucky to get out of the arena alive."
O'Ree noted that racist comments were worse in U.S. cities than in Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal. He said, "Fans would yell, 'Go back to the South' and 'How come you're not picking cotton?'" But O'Ree didn't let it stop him. He said, "It didn't bother me. I just wanted to be a hockey player, and if they couldn't accept that fact, then that was their problem, not mine."
After the 1960–61 season, O'Ree was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. He felt they didn't give him a fair chance. He ended up playing in the minor leagues. In his NHL career, he scored 4 goals and 10 assists, all in 1961.
Success in the Minor Leagues
Even after his time in the NHL, O'Ree continued to play hockey. He played in the minor leagues until he was 43 years old. He won two scoring titles in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He scored 30 or more goals four times. His best seasons included 38 goals in 1964–65 and 1968–69.
Most of O'Ree's time was with the WHL's Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls. The San Diego Gulls even retired his jersey number. His number now hangs from the rafters at Pechanga Arena.
Willie O'Ree's Lasting Impact
After Willie O'Ree, it took a while for another Black player to join the NHL. Mike Marson was drafted in 1974. By the mid-2010s, there were 23 Black players in the NHL. The NHL now requires players to attend diversity training. Racist comments are punished with suspensions and fines. O'Ree is often called the "Jackie Robinson of hockey" because he broke the color barrier.
Since 1998, O'Ree has been the NHL's Diversity Ambassador. He travels across North America. He visits schools and hockey programs. He shares messages about being inclusive, working hard, and believing in yourself.
The NHL started the annual Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award in 2017–18. This award recognizes someone who has made a positive difference in their community through hockey. The public votes for the winner.
Awards and Honors
Willie O'Ree has received many awards and honors for his contributions to hockey and society.
- In March 1984, he was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 1998, the National Hockey League asked him to be the director of youth development for its diversity task force. This program helps minority youth learn and play hockey.
- On January 19, 2008, the Bruins and the NHL honored O'Ree in Boston. This marked 50 years since his NHL debut.
- The City of Fredericton honored him by naming a new sports complex after him.
- On January 27, 2008, the NHL honored O'Ree at the 56th National Hockey League All-Star Game.
- In 2008, O'Ree received the Order of Canada. This is the highest award for a Canadian citizen. He was honored as a hockey pioneer and a mentor for youth.
- His jersey was retired by the San Diego Gulls on October 16, 2015.
- On June 26, 2018, it was announced that O'Ree would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder.
- In May 2019, the U.S. Congress started a bill to award O'Ree the Congressional Gold Medal. This is for his contributions to hockey and inclusion.
- O'Ree was named to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame on May 27, 2020.
- On January 12, 2021, the Boston Bruins announced they would retire O'Ree's number 22. The ceremony happened on January 18, 2022.
- In 2021, all NHL players wore a special helmet decal. This honored O'Ree during Black History Month.
- In 2022, U.S. President Joe Biden signed a bill. This bill awarded O'Ree the Congressional Gold Medal. He is the first NHL player to receive this high honor.
- Canada Post released a special postage stamp honoring Willie O'Ree on October 30, 2023.
Willie O'Ree's journey shows how one person can make a huge difference. He opened doors for many others in hockey and continues to inspire people around the world.
More Awards and Honors
- WHL Second All-Star Team (1969)
- New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame (1984)
- Lester Patrick Trophy (2003)
- Order of New Brunswick (2005)
- Willie O'Ree Place (Fredericton arena, dedicated 2008)
- Order of Canada (2008)
- Breitbard Hall of Fame (2008)
- Hockey Hall of Fame (2018)
- Congressional Gold Medal (2019)
- Canada's Sports Hall of Fame (2020–21)
- His #22 Jersey was retired by the Boston Bruins on January 18, 2022.
- Named One of the Top 100 Best Bruins Players of all Time.
See also
In Spanish: Willie O'Ree para niños
- List of sports desegregation firsts
