Willie O'Ree

ABOUT WILLIE O'REE

Hockey trailblazer who is most recognized for being the first black NHL hockey player in the league's history back in 1958. He was the only black player in the NHL up until 1974. During his NHL career, he played for the Boston Bruins .

He first discovered his passion for playing hockey as a young boy growing up. He would later join his first hockey team, the Fredericton Falcons, in 1950.

In 2018, the National Hockey League decided to dedicate an award to his name. That very same year, he was eventually inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame. Early in his career, he was hit by a puck in his right eye and subsequently blinded. His playing career lasted more than 20 years.

He was born and raised in Fredericton, Canada. His parents were Harry, a civil engineer and road maintenance worker, and Rosebud O'Ree. He was the youngest of nine siblings. His grandparents were escapees of slavery in the United States, moving to Canada through the Underground Railroad.

He once co-starred alongside Kevin Weekes , Chris Rock , and Tyler James Williams while on an episode of Everybody Hates Chris .