Willie O'Ree became the 1st Black Player in NHL
The Color barrier for skating in the NHL was broken on January 18, 1958, when Willie O'Ree skated for the Boston Bruins.
Willie O'Ree
Born October 15, 1935, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, was Hockey Hall of Fame Wing, Willie O'Ree. This legend of the ice is widely recognized for being the first black player in the National Hockey League, skating for the Boston Bruins. His accomplishment of breaking the black color barrier in the NHL has led him to sometimes being referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of hockey."
O'Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He began playing hockey at a young age and quickly established himself as a talented player. However, his path to the NHL was not easy. He faced racism and discrimination at every level of hockey, but he persevered.
In 1958, O'Ree was called up to the Boston Bruins. He made his NHL debut on January 18, 1958, against the Montreal Canadiens. O'Ree played in two games for the Bruins that season, but he was then sent back to the minors.
O'Ree continued to play in the minors for several years, but he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NHL. Finally, in 1961, he was recalled by the Bruins. He played in 43 games for the Bruins that season, scoring six goals and adding 10 assists.
O'Ree played for the Bruins for two more seasons, but he was often the target of racial abuse from both fans and players. In 1963, he was hit in the face with a puck and suffered a serious eye injury. The injury forced him to retire from the NHL at the age of 27.
Despite his short career in the NHL, O'Ree had a profound impact on the game of hockey. He paved the way for other black players to follow in his footsteps, and he helped to break down racial barriers in the sport.
O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
O'Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada. He began playing hockey at a young age and quickly established himself as a talented player. However, his path to the NHL was not easy. He faced racism and discrimination at every level of hockey, but he persevered.
In 1958, O'Ree was called up to the Boston Bruins. He made his NHL debut on January 18, 1958, against the Montreal Canadiens. O'Ree played in two games for the Bruins that season, but he was then sent back to the minors.
O'Ree continued to play in the minors for several years, but he never gave up on his dream of playing in the NHL. Finally, in 1961, he was recalled by the Bruins. He played in 43 games for the Bruins that season, scoring six goals and adding 10 assists.
O'Ree played for the Bruins for two more seasons, but he was often the target of racial abuse from both fans and players. In 1963, he was hit in the face with a puck and suffered a serious eye injury. The injury forced him to retire from the NHL at the age of 27.
Despite his short career in the NHL, O'Ree had a profound impact on the game of hockey. He paved the way for other black players to follow in his footsteps, and he helped to break down racial barriers in the sport.
O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018.
