Willie O’Ree: the first black player in the NHL

Photo: Bruce Bennett Studios/Getty Images

On January 18, 1958, playing for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens, William (Willie) O’Ree became the first black person to play in the NHL — an extraordinary event that paved the way for future players of diverse ethnic and economic backgrounds.

O’Ree played 45 games with the Bruins from 1958-61.  His long professional career spanned 21 seasons, mostly in the Western Hockey League (WHL) with the Los Angeles Blades and the San Diego Gulls.  O’Ree played his entire professional career blind in one eye. He was inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1984 and the Breitbard Hall of Fame in the San Diego Hall of Champions in 2008. In January 2008 the Fredericton, New Brunswick City Council named their new hockey arena after O’Ree in honor of his accomplishments.

Source: nhl.com