In 1951–52, he played with the Fredericton Merchants of the York County Hockey League and three games with the Fredericton Capital… On Jan. 18, 1958, the “Jackie Robinson of Hockey,” wearing a Boston Bruins jersey, glided across the ice at the historic Montreal Forum. O’Ree delivered his nose and cheekbone. [16] Those in attendance included a busload of friends from O'Ree's hometown of Fredericton. Willie O’Ree on May 1, 2019 Photo Credit: The Canadian Press/Tijana Martin. Willie Eldon O'Ree, CM, ONB (born October 15, 1935 in Fredericton, New Brunswick) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, known best for being the first black player in the National Hockey League. contributions to the game of hockey transcend on-ice accomplishments and have opened countless doors for players who have come after him. O’Ree retaliated by breaking his stick over the player’s head and a brawl broke out. In 2003, O’Ree was named the Lester Patrick Trophy winner for his outstanding service to hockey in the United States. [12] The NHL/USA Hockey Diversity Task Force is a non-profit program for minority youth that encourages them to learn and play hockey. He received the Lester Patrick Award, which annually awards an … [27], A more personal honor for O'Ree was arranged by John Grzelcyk, father of current Bruins defenseman Matt Grzelcyk. He played professional hockey for more than 20 years, including 45 games with the NHL’s Boston Bruins. The award recognizes those who, like O’Ree, have used hockey to “build character, teach life skills and foster positive values.” It is open to anyone connected to the Art Dorrington was the first black player to sign an NHL contract, in 1950 with the New York Rangers organization, but never played beyond the minor league level. [17] Around the time of the 60th anniversary of O'Ree's contribution to ice hockey in early 2008, he was once again honored by the Bruins and the NHL, with a new street hockey rink in Boston named in his honor, one of many accolades with which the Bruins and NHL legend are involved. NHL players are now required to enroll in a preseason diversity training seminar,[9] and racially based verbal abuse is punished through suspensions and fines.[10]. O'Ree played 50 games for the American Hockey League's New Haven Nighthawks in 1972–73. Other honourees that evening included Larry Bird, Mike Lowell, and Ty Law. O’Ree played regularly on the backyard rink of the Willie O’Ree, the NHL’s first Black player, on racism in hockey "It's very important for kids to see themselves, you know, to be represented in things they love," he said. O’Ree was honoured along with former Boston Bruins [23] The Buffalo Sabres hosted a Willie O'Ree skills weekend in March 2012. O’Ree was named to Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame as a Builder on 27 May 2020. The gamble taken by O’Ree’s grandparents by traveling to Canada via the Underground Railroad would pay off, as his memories of growing up as a minority in Fredericton were positive.In his autobiography, The Willie O’Ree Story: Hockey’s Black Pioneer, O’Ree wrote that the colour of his skin was never an issue at the rink as a child. News, Jobs and Higher Education. He will be formally inducted in 2021. While Willie O'Ree's NHL career consisted of just 45 games over two seasons, it is the historical impact of his NHL career that has led him to Honoured Member status in the Hockey Hall of Fame. O’Ree lost 95 per cent of the vision in his eye. 27:18. stop me.”. Two days earlier, the City of Fredericton honoured him by naming a new sports complex on the North side after him. There were only two Black families in Fredericton while O’Ree was growing up. As quoted in Breaking the Ice: “I had to play hockey again, because I had to make it to the NHL. In addition, The Sports Museum of New England located in the TD Garden, established a special exhibit on O'Ree's career, comprising many items on loan from his personal collection. [2][3] He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2018. Willie O’Ree who was born in Fredericton, N.B. Hockey League. The legacy was that of Willie O’Ree, who, coincidentally on that same date in 1958, broke NHL’s color barrier when he suited up for the . [25], As the 2016 Stanley Cup Finals were about to start, the San Jose Sharks' Barbadian Canadian star right winger Joel Ward was preparing to play against the Pittsburgh Penguins, and told ESPN that O'Ree was one of his inspirations to play pro hockey, and should have his player number 22 retired by the NHL league-wide, just as Jackie Robinson, the first player of color in Major League Baseball has been honored. instant results, recording 38 goals that season, a personal best. In 1951–52, he played with the Fredericton Merchants of the York County Hockey League, as well as three games with the Fredericton Capitals of the New Brunswick Senior O'Ree played as a winger for the Boston Bruins. [14] [15], On the afternoon of January 19, 2008, the Bruins and NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly honoured O'Ree at TD Garden in Boston to mark the 50th anniversary of his NHL debut. According to NHL bylaws, he would not be eligible to play, as the league had (and still has) a rule He was back on the ice within two months. On 1 January 1961, O’Ree also became the first Black player to score a O’Ree has positive memories of growing up in New Brunswick. He has travelled throughout North America to promote grassroots In 2018, O’Ree was named to O’Ree was born in the small coal mining town of Fredericton, New Brunswick in Canada, the youngest of thirteen children. However, O'Ree managed to keep it secret, and made his NHL debut with the Bruins on January 18, 1958,[5][6] against the Montreal Canadiens, becoming the first black player in league history. O'Ree continued to play in the minors until the age of 43. Over the next three years, O’Ree progressed through the Fredericton hockey system. Willie O’Ree changed hockey forever on January 18, 1958 as the first black player in the NHL. Things like that. Born on October 15, 1935 in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Willie O'Ree was a prolific junior scorer with the Kitchener Canucks of the Ontario Hockey Association in 1955-56. 22 jersey in 2022. He was advised by a doctor to stop playing hockey. [36], On January 12, 2021, the Boston Bruins announced that they would retire O'Ree's number 22 on February 18. As of the mid-2000s, O'Ree lives in Berkeley, California. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in November 2018. OTTAWA, Ontario — Willie O’Ree is hopeful that one day sports will be free of racism and bigotry, yet thinks it’s still a long way off. Back then, they were more concerned with your physical condition, and I always kept myself in good shape. O’Ree is a Member of both the Order of Canada and the Order of New Brunswick. The Los Angeles Blades were weak at right wing and head coach Alf Pike had O’Ree change positions. O’Ree, who grew up in Fredericton, New Brunswick, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2018. goal in the NHL in a 3–2 win over the Canadiens. A member of Canada’s Sports Hall of Fame, Carnegie was one of the best players His No. For the 1957–58 season, the Aces formed a working relationship with the NHL’s Boston Bruins. [7], O'Ree noted that "racist remarks were much worse in the U.S. cities than in Toronto and Montreal," the two Canadian cities hosting NHL teams at the time, and that "Fans would yell, 'Go back to the South' and 'How come you're not picking cotton?' I just wanted to be a hockey player, and if they couldn't accept that fact, that was their problem, not mine. He was blind in one eye – an extraordinary secret that only his sister knew, and played 45 games in the NHL. [21], The same year, O'Ree received the Order of Canada, the highest civilian award for a Canadian citizen. At age 19, O’Ree moved to Quebec and played the 1954–55 season with the Quebec Frontenacs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League. O'Ree is referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of ice hockey" for breaking the black colour barrier in the sport, and has stated publicly that he had met Jackie Robinson when he was younger. player to play a game in the NHL. One night while playing in Virginia in the 1972–73 AHL season, fans tossed cotton balls and a black cat Most of O'Ree's playing time was with the WHL's Los Angeles Blades and San Diego Gulls. [30][31][32], Almost ten months after receiving his original Bruins sweater from the Grzelcyks, on November 1, 2018 O'Ree attended the ceremonial dedication of a street hockey rink named in his honour in the Boston neighbourhood of Allston, as part of the continuing legacy of O'Ree's time with the Bruins. The player also butt-ended O’Ree with his stick and knocked out some teeth. One major reason why O’Ree was able to prolong his career was because he moved from left wing to right wing in 1964–65 at the age of 29. It is named in honor of Willie O’Ree, who became the NHL’s first Black player in 1958 and was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame as a builder in 2018. Editorial: Saint Mary’s Players Make Hockey History. [35] The formal induction ceremony has been postponed to a yet to be determined date in 2021 due to concerns over COVID-19. In the midst of America’s tumultuous fight to end Jim Crow and the birth of the civil rights movement, Willie – the descendant of escaped slaves – became the first black player to skate in a National Hockey League game. O’Ree returned to playing hockey in Quebec after one year in Ontario. Awards and honors later followed. family home and skated to school when weather permitted. His journey of resilience and determination was showcased in the documentary Willie. O’Ree also hosts an annual See also: Trailblazing Black Canadian Athletes; Editorial: Saint Mary’s Players Make Hockey History; hockey programs, with a focus on serving economically disadvantaged children. "[34], O'Ree was named to Canada's Sports Hall of Fame on May 27, 2020 in the Builder category. children of parents Rosebud and Harry. Willie provides historical context and depth to O’Ree’s incredible journey. Special Collections 680 views. The Willie O’Ree documentary covers a span of 60 years and those that influenced him along the way. He was inducted in the 2018 Hockey Hall of Fame. After his short time in Boston, O’Ree went on to play 14 more years of professional hockey. [7], After O'Ree's stint in the NHL, there were no other black players in the NHL until another Canadian player, Mike Marson, was drafted by the Washington Capitals in 1974. O’Ree would go on to play two more seasons with the Aces in 1957–58 and 1958–59. I never sat in front of an eye machine. O’Ree also received [37] However, the jersey retirement ceremony was moved to January 18, 2022, by the NHL. The film is … Since 1994, O’Ree has been a diversity ambassador for the NHL and on Nov. 12 he was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a builder. defenceman Ray Bourque and Ron DeGregorio, the president of USA Hockey. (né le 15 octobre 1935 à Fredericton) est un ancien joueur canadien de hockey sur glace. O’Ree was raised in a large family in Fredericton, New Brunswick. From 1998 on, O’Ree has been the NHL's Diversity Ambassador,[11] traveling across North America to schools and hockey programs to promote messages of inclusion, dedication, and confidence. He is still alive today. He was a pretty good shortstop and second baseman. O'Ree is referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of ice hockey" due to breaking the black color barrier in the sport, and has stated publicly that … No places to show . Willie O’Ree, CM, ONB, hockey player (born 15 October 1935 in Fredericton, NB). Willie O’Ree once had to wait for two police officers to escort him off the ice in Chicago after a benches-clearing brawl, which began when his front … He is without question deserving of this honour.”. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He started ice skating at the age of three on frozen ponds. The Bruins beat the Montreal Canadiens that night by a score of 3–0 at the Montreal Forum. Coloured Hockey League; Chatham Coloured All-Stars. As head of the Hockey is for Everyone program, O’Ree promotes commitment, perseverance and teamwork as well as important life skills and education. In 2010, O’Ree received the Order of Canada for his outstanding service to youth development and for promoting hockey within North America. The relationship meant that Aces players could be called up to the O'Ree is referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of ice hockey" for breaking the black colour barrier in the sport,[1] and has stated publicly that he had met Jackie Robinson when he was younger. Willie O'Ree, C.M. Team president Cam Neely said in a statement, “Willie’s Willie, tells the life story of Willie O’Ree from his early days when he couldn’t quite decide between baseball or hockey, to his career threatening eye-injury and his NHL call-up, and concludes with the day he finds out he will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. onto the ice. that O’Ree “was greeted with no emotion, no applause and, above all, no animosity.”. In 1998, O'Ree was working at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, California when the National Hockey League approached him to be the director of youth development for its diversity task force. The shot also broke where he scored seven goals in seven games. O’Ree’s NHL debut may have caused little reaction in Montreal because local sports fans were already familiar with O’Ree; he had played occasionally in Montreal as a member [24] His jersey was retired by the San Diego Gulls on October 16, 2015. Hockey Hall of Fame in the builder category. Her current role in supporting the induction of NHL’s first African-American hockey player, Willie O’Ree, into the Hall of Fame led to the documentary Willie. Now, 63 years later, Willie serves as the diversity ambassador for the NHL and educates audiences everywhere on his story and the power of sport to break barriers in society. New Haven Nighthawks of the American Hockey League; and the San Diego Mariners of the Pacific Coast League. The Boston Bruins will retire his No. O’Ree’s grandparents came to Canada through the Underground Railroad to escape slavery in the United States. When Willie O’Ree was a kid growing up in Fredericton he was never … the on Oct 15, 1935, did not know he was breaking hockey’s colour barrier that evening. It was only later, when I became [29], On June 26, 2018 it was announced that O'Ree would be inducted as a builder into the Hockey Hall of Fame later that year. After playing only two games in the 1957–58 season, O’Ree returned to the Bruins in the 1960–61 season and scored 4 goals and 10 assists for 14 points in 43 regular season games. O’Ree started playing hockey at age three and organized hockey at age five. [33], By early May of 2019, following O'Ree's builder honor with the Hockey Hall of Fame the previous year, a bill in the 116th U.S. Congress is authorizing the award of the United States Congressional Gold Medal for O'Ree's achievements "in recognition of his contributions and commitment to hockey, inclusion, and recreational opportunity. Signing up enhances your TCE experience with the ability to save items to your personal reading list, and access the interactive map. However, O’Ree could not tell anyone about the injury. William "Willie" Eldon O'Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick Canada (northeast of Maine) on October 15, 1935. [19] On October 29, 2008, San Diego State University presented O'Ree with an Award for Outstanding Commitment to Diversity and Cross Cultural Understanding. Thanks for contributing to The Canadian Encyclopedia. A long-time member of the Boston Garden and TD Garden "bull-gang" team of arena personnel that assists with "changeovers" for different events at each facility, the senior Grzelcyk had saved an original number 22 Bruins uniform jersey worn by O'Ree from the 1960-61 Boston Bruins season, when O'Ree last played in the NHL as a Bruin. “Willie O’Ree is a pioneer in the game of hockey and is deserving of the distinguished honor of a Congressional Gold Medal.” U.S. senators Tim Scott and Debbie Stabenow . The Willie O’Ree Youth and Education Fund, administered by the Fredericton Community Foundation, will disburse to projects and programs that support youth and education in the Greater Fredericton region. O’Ree was determined to make the NHL. In his autobiography, The Willie O’Ree Story: Hockey’s Black Pioneer, O’Ree wrote that colour In order for O’Ree to move up the ranks in the hockey world, he had to overcome not only a colour barrier, but also a genuine physical disability. As an organization, the Aces had a history of integration. By the time O’Ree was 15, His journey of resilience and determination was showcased in the documentary Willie. While Willie O'Ree's NHL career consisted of just 45 games over two seasons, it is the historical impact of his NHL career that has led him to Honoured Member status in the Hockey Hall of Fame. [6] O'Ree came back in 1961 to play 43 games, and scored 4 goals and 10 assists in his NHL career, all in 1961. "[8], In the minor leagues, O'Ree won two scoring titles in the Western Hockey League (WHL) between 1961 and 1974, scoring 30 or more goals 4 times, with a high of 38 in 1964–65 and 1968–69. 22 jersey will be raised to the rafters before a home game at TD Garden on 18 February 2021. Throughout his time playing hockey, O’Ree remembers being treated worse in the United States than in Canada. Il fut le premier joueur professionnel noir à jouer dans la Ligue nationale de hockey . There were 23 black players in the NHL as of the mid-2010s. That was always the goal, you see, ever since I was 13, and I wasn’t going to let anybody or anything In an interview with Luke Fox of Rogers Sportsnet on 29 February 2012, O’Ree explained the situation he faced: If it gets out that I’m blind in my right eye, I probably won’t be allowed to play pro, and definitely won’t be allowed to play in the National Hockey League. Willie would also become an excellent baseball player. He debuted with the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens at the Montreal Forum on … That was what everyone from our [area] held on to. He was the youngest of 13 About Willie. Willie O’Ree, byname of William O’Ree, (born October 15, 1935, Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada), the first Black hockey player to play in a National Hockey League (NHL) game. all-star weekend that brings children of diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds together for a tournament. 22", "Bruins Legend Willie O'Ree To Be Inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame", "Willie O'Ree, Martin Brodeur, Gary Bettman top Hockey Hall of Fame class | The Star", "Willie O'Ree, NHL's 1st black player, gets Hall of Fame call | CBC Sports", "Willie O'Ree Community Rink Dedicated in Allston", "H.R.2504 - Willie O'Ree Congressional Gold Medal Act", "O'Ree named to Canada Sports Hall of Fame: First black player in NHL says he's 'excited, overwhelmed' by honor", "O'Ree Taking His Rightful Place in Garden Rafters", "NHL Announces Postponement of O'Ree's Number Retirement Ceremony", "O'Ree number retirement by Bruins rescheduled to next year", "NHL introduces helmet decals to honour Willie O'Ree", "Groundbreaking NHL debut still vivid for O'Ree", "First black NHL player honoured with Order of Canada", Willie O'Ree's "Builder" biography page at the Hockey Hall of Fame, The night the lights went out in Massachusetts, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Willie_O%27Ree&oldid=1015684989, Canadian expatriate ice hockey players in the United States, Articles with dead external links from October 2010, Short description is different from Wikidata, Pages using Template:Post-nominals with missing parameters, Wikipedia articles with WORLDCATID identifiers, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, Willie O'Ree Place (Fredericton arena, dedicated 2008), Biographical information and career statistics from, This page was last edited on 2 April 2021, at 22:09. 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