October 15 is the 90th birthday of Willie O’Ree, often called the “Jackie Robinson of Hockey.” He was the first Black player to compete in the National Hockey League (NHL) when he debuted for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadiens in 1958. By breaking the color barrier in major league hockey, O’Ree paved the way for Black players, and all players of different ethnicities and diverse backgrounds. He was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2018 as a “Builder” for his groundbreaking work as the first Black player in the NHL and for his extensive work with youth hockey and diversity programs. On January 18, 2022, exactly 64 years after his historic NHL debut, the Boston Bruins retired his number 22. He was the first Black player in the history of the NHL to have his jersey retired.
During the NHL’s opening night Tuesday, Oct.7, the league paid tribute to this remarkable legacy and his upcoming 90th birthday.
Facts You Need To Know About Willie O’Ree:
1-He Was Born In Canada
The youngest of 13 children, O’Ree grew up in a large family in Fredericton, New Brunswick. His grandparents migrated to Canada from the United States through the Underground Railroad to escape slavery. While O’Ree was growing up, only two Black families lived in Fredericton.