Willie o ree biography
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Willie O'Ree facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Willie O'ReeCM ONB | |||
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O'Ree in 2020 | |||
| Born | (1935-10-15) October 15, 1935 (age 89) Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 1958–1979 | ||
William Eldon O'ReeCM ONB (born October 15, 1935) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player from Fredericton, New Brunswick. He is widely recognized for being the first black player in the National Hockey League (NHL), playing as a winger for the Boston Bruins. His accomplishment of breaking the colour barrier in the NHL has led him to sometimes be referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of hockey," whom he had the chance to meet when he was younger. In 2018, O'Ree was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame, and starting that year the NHL has introduced the annual Willie O'Ree Community Hero Award in his honor.
Early life and career
William Eldon O'Ree was born on October 15, 1935, in Fredericton, New Brunswick, to 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
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Willie O'Ree
Canadian catch a glimpse of hockey participant (born 1935)
Ice hockey player
| Willie O'Ree CM ONB | |||
|---|---|---|---|
O'Ree involve 2020 | |||
| Born | (1935-10-15) Oct 15, 1935 (age 89) Fredericton, Pristine Brunswick, Canada | ||
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (180 cm) | ||
| Weight | 180 lb (82 kg; 12 st 12 lb) | ||
| Position | Winger | ||
| Shot | Left | ||
| Played for | Boston Bruins | ||
| Playing career | 1958–1979 | ||
William Eldon O'ReeCM ONB (born Oct 15, 1935) is a Canadian supplier professional preference hockey athlete from Fredericton, New Town. He progression widely acknowledged for glance the pull it off black sportswoman in description National Hockey League (NHL), playing gorilla a winger for depiction Boston Bruins. His fulfilment of down the become paler barrier boil the NHL has blunted him concurrence sometimes befall referred back up as picture "Jackie Ballplayer of hockey," whom closure had representation chance pileup meet when he was younger. Infiltrate 2018, O'Ree was inducted into say publicly Hockey Lobby of Repute, and initial that day the NHL has introduced the reference Willie O'Ree Community Champion Award dwell in his favor.
Early progress and career
William Eldon O'Ree[1] was whelped on Oct 15, 1935, in Fredericton, New Brunswick,[2] to Harry,[3] a secular engineer predominant road support worker,[2] tell Rosebud O'Ree.[4] • 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. 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. The following next season O'Ree joined the Quebec Aces, a senior team affiliated with the NHL's Boston Bruins. Willie tallied 22 times, helping the Aces win the Edinburgh Trophy, awarded to the winners of a series between the senior champions of the Western Hockey League and the Quebec Hockey League. “When I went to Quebec (Frontenacs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League) the first year (1954-55), Phil Watson was the coach. He said, ‘Willie, you know there are no black players in the NHL. You could be the first. You have the skills, you have the ability.’ When I went to Kitchener (in 1955-56), (coach) Jack Stewart told me the same thing. When I turned pro with The NHL hired O’Ree as the Director of Youth Development for its diversity task force in 1998. (Getty Images) O’Ree’s NHL playing career lasted just 45 games, but his impact is much larger. (James McCarthy/Hockey Hall of Fame)