Wednesday, February 03, 2021
Willie O'Ree
Last Monday, our American neighbours celebrated Martin Luther King Day. For a number of reasons, they celebrated in a muted fashion. Due to COVD 19 restrictions, there were no parades in American cities. This coming Wednesday is the day Joe Biden becomes President, and Kamala Harris, the Vice President. There has been significant turmoil leading up to the Inauguration, also affecting the events.
Security around the Capitol in Washington, and around the capitals of all of the other states will be unprecidented. For the first time in 150 years, the outgoing president will not attend the inauguration. Donald Trump has made plans to head out to his estate in Florida.
Members of teams in the National Basketball Association paid tribute to Dr. King prior to their games on Monday. There were recorded tributes from players and coaches. Players wore jerseys indicating tributes to King. Several players knelt during opening ceremonies, harkening back to the effort of Colin Kapernick, when he played for the San Francisco 49ers.
In Boston, the Bruins organization paid tribute to one of its former players, in a significant manner. Number 22 was retired. It was worn by Willie O'Ree when he first skated for the Bruins on January 18, 1958. A native of Fredericton, New Brunswick, O'Ree had paid his dues in the minor leagues, earning the right to advance to the National Hockey League. On that night, he became the first African American to play hockey at the highest level. I use that term loosely, perhaps African Canadian would be more appropriate.
O'Ree was born on October 15, 1935. He remains active in hockey circles, even though he will celebrate his 86th birthday later this year. When he was 18 years old, O'Ree was hit in the eye with a puck, and lost sight in that eye. He remained in the game, and a few weeks later he was chosen by Punch Imlach to play for the Quebec Aces, at that time one of the best hockey teams not in the National League. O'Ree knew that it was in his best interests not to tell anyone about his eye injury, and he kept it secret. He played a couple of games for the Bruins in 1958, and several more later in his career.
Willie was subject to racial taunts throughout his career. He said that he heard, “Go back to the South”, and far worse. “Things like that didn't bother me. I just wanted to be a hockey player, and if they couldn't accept that fact, that was their problem, not mine.”
Between 1961 and 1974, Willie won two scoring titles in the Western Hockey League. Most of his career was spent with the Los Angeles Blades and the San Diego Gulls in the WHL. He did have a stint in the American Hockey League with the New Haven Nighthawks, and in the Eastern Professional Hockey League with Kingston, in the 1959-1960 season. He retired when he was 43 years old.
It was not until 1974 that another African Canadian skated in the NHL, Mike Marson for the Washington Capitals. Currently, there are more than 25 black players in the NHL. I have often thought of the All Time, All Star African American hockey team. Grant Fuhr would be my goalie.
Willie now works as the “Diversity Ambassador” for the NHL. He has been awarded a long list of accolades in his life, including the Order of Canada and induction into the Hockey Hall of Fame.
James Hurst
January 19, 2021
