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). He played as a winger for the Boston Bruins. Willie O'Ree broke the colour barrier in the NHL. Because of this, he is sometimes called the "Jackie Robinson of hockey." He even met Jackie Robinson when he was younger! In 2018, O'Ree was put into the Hockey Hall of Fame. The NHL also created the Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award in his honor.
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Willie O'Ree: A Hockey Pioneer
Willie 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 came to Canada using the Underground Railroad.
Early Life and His Love for Hockey
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 play. When the weather was good, he would even skate to school! Willie wrote in his book 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. At this age, Willie also met the famous baseball player Jackie Robinson. By age 15, Willie played in the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association playoffs for the Fredericton Falcons.
Breaking Barriers in the NHL
Willie O'Ree played junior hockey for different teams. Then, in 1955, he joined the Quebec Aces. In 1958, Willie was called up to play for the Boston Bruins in the NHL. This was a huge moment! Two years before, Willie had been blinded in his right eye by a puck. He kept this a secret from the Bruins. If they had known, he might not have been allowed to play.
On January 18, 1958, Willie O'Ree made his NHL debut. He played against the Montreal Canadiens. This made him the first Black player in the league's history! He played two games that year. In the 1960–61 season, Willie played 43 games for the Bruins. After that season, he was traded to the Montreal Canadiens. Willie scored 4 goals and 10 assists in his NHL career. All of these points came in 1961.
Willie faced many unfair comments because of his race during his hockey career. He said that these comments were worse in U.S. cities than in Canadian cities like Toronto and Montreal. He remembered fans yelling mean things. But Willie said, "It didn't bother me. I just wanted to be a hockey player." He believed it was their problem if they couldn't accept him.
Even after his NHL time, Willie kept playing in the minor leagues. He won two scoring titles in the Western Hockey League (WHL). He scored 30 or more goals four times! He played most of his minor league games for the Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls. The San Diego Gulls even retired his jersey number. Willie played in the minor leagues until he was 43 years old.
His Amazing Impact on Hockey
After Willie O'Ree, there were no other Black players in the NHL until 1974. That's when Mike Marson was drafted. By the mid-2010s, there were 23 Black players in the NHL. Willie O'Ree is often called the "Jackie Robinson of hockey." This is because he broke the color barrier in the sport.
Since 1998, Willie O'Ree has been the NHL's Diversity Ambassador. He travels across North America. He visits schools and hockey programs. He shares important 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 celebrates someone who has made a positive difference in their community through hockey. People vote to choose the winner.
Awards and Honors
Willie O'Ree has received many awards and honors for his contributions to hockey and society.
- In 1984, he was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame.
- In 1998, the NHL asked him to help with their diversity program. This program helps minority youth learn and play hockey.
- On January 19, 2008, the Boston Bruins honored Willie O'Ree. This was to celebrate 50 years since his NHL debut. His hometown of Fredericton also named a new sports complex after him.
- In 2008, Willie received the Order of Canada. This is the highest award a Canadian citizen can get! He was honored for being a hockey pioneer and a mentor for young people.
- His jersey number, 22, was retired by the San Diego Gulls in 2015.
- On June 26, 2018, it was announced that Willie O'Ree would be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. He was recognized as a "builder" for his work in growing the game.
- In 2019, the U.S. Congress decided to award him the Congressional Gold Medal. This is a very high honor in the United States.
- He was named to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame in 2020.
- On January 18, 2022, the Boston Bruins retired his number 22 jersey. This means no other Bruins player will ever wear that number again.
- In 2021, all NHL players wore a special helmet sticker honoring Willie O'Ree during Black History Month.
- In 2023, Canada Post released a special postage stamp to honor Willie O'Ree.
See also
- List of sports desegregation firsts
