When he played for the Boston Bruins against the Canadiens in Montreal on January 18,

1958, Willie O’Ree became the first black person to play in the National Hockey League. O'Ree played on a line with Don McKenney

and Jerry Toppazzini and helped the Bruins defeat the mighty Canadiens, 3-0.

Fifty years later, O’Ree is still involved in hockey as the Director of Youth Development

for the NHL’s Diversity program. In the past 10 years, he has helped introduce more than

40,000 boys and girls of diverse backgrounds to hockey while stressing the importance of essential life skills, education and the core

values of hockey: commitment, perseverance and teamwork.

O’Ree is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In addition to being inducted into

the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, he received the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the United

States in 2003. In 2007, he became the inaugural recipient of the Bill Walsh Champion

of Change Award, which recognizes an individual whose tenaciousness of purpose

paved a path of opportunity to everyone. In January 2008 the Fredericton, New Brunswick City Council will name its new hockey arena

after O’Ree in honor of his accomplishments.

Willie O'Ree - The Hockey Pioneer

Willie O’Ree – Boston Bruins5’10” 175 lbs. Left Wing, shoots left

Born on October 15, 1935 in Fredericton, NB

“I guess I’ve always hoped that some day I might make the National Hockey League. I’ve

thought about it ever since I began listening to the Saturday night broadcasts from Toronto by Foster Hewitt.”

-- O’Ree on playing his first game (The Hockey News, Feb. 1, 1958)

“I was the most surprised guy in the world when I found out I was going to play for the

Bruins. In fact, I still am. After all, I thought there were several other guys Boston could have called up before me.”

-- O’Ree on being called up by Boston (The Hockey News, Feb. 1, 1958)

WILLIE SAID IT

On playing as a youngster: “Every chance I had, I was on the ice. I even skated to school. My dad squirted the garden hose on the back yard and we had an instant rink. I loved the feel ofthe wind rushing by as I flew along the ice. I loved the sound of spraying ice chips when I hit the brakes and spun around to charge back the other way. I loved having the puck on my stick and learning how to stickhandle. The speed that I could reach on my skates when I was stick handling with the puck was like defying gravity.”

On being a pioneer: “Nobody called me the 'Jackie Robinson of Hockey' then, but that's how I felt. Of course, Jackie had far worse things happen to him that I ever did, but there I was, in a place where no black man had ever been.”

On being the only black player: “I wanted dearly to be just another hockey player, but I knew I couldn't be. No matter how hard I played or how fast I skated, people just kept making references to my color.”

THEY SAID IT

Bruins teammate Doug Mohns: “Willie was just another guy. We got a kick out of him because hehad a great sense of humor and was fun to be with. He was a real gentleman, but most important to us, he was a hard worker; he went full tilt every shift.”

DID YOU KNOW?O’Ree permanently lost 95% of the vision in his right eye after being struck with the puck while playing for the Kitchener-Waterloo Canucks during the 1955-56 season. Despite being advised to stop playing, O’Ree was back on the ice in eight weeks, switching from left wing to right wing to compensate for his eye sight.

On his race affecting his career: “I’ve never given the matter of my race much thought as far as hockey is concerned. I started playing hockey in Fredericton when I was a little fellow, and I’ve been playing for most of my life. I don’t consider that I’ve ever been handicapped because of my color.”

On breaking the color barrier: “I didn't set out to become the first black NHL player. I never gave it any thought that I had just broken the color barrier. We beat the Canadiens that night 3-0 and that was a feat in itself, because it was tough beating the Canadiens in Montreal. After the game both teams jumped on the train to Boston. They beat us there on Sunday 5-3. I went back to Quebec and finished the year out. It really didn't dawn on me until later on what I had accomplished.”

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Bruins head coach Milt Schmidt after Willie’s first game:“I said in the fall I liked his hustle and aggressiveness and I still do. I hope he continues to improve.” (The Hockey News, Feb. 1, 1958)

Being able to see their heroes in action is critical for young players. "The opportunity to skate with them and just see them is such a big lift, and that's what we need to break down barriers," O'Ree said. "Fans didn't get to see me play, but these kids can see all these players play."

O'Ree is the recipient of numerous awards and honors. In addition to being inducted into the New Brunswick Sports Hall of Fame in 1984, he received the Lester Patrick Award for outstanding service to hockey in the United States in 2003. In 2007, O'Ree became the inaugural recipient of the Bill Walsh Champion of Change Award, which recognizes an individual whose tenaciousness of purpose paved a path of opportunity to everyone. This month, the Fredericton, New Brunswick City Council will name a new hockey arena after O'Ree in honor of his accomplishments.

Over the past 10 years, O'Ree has helped the NHL Diversity program introduce hockey to more than 40,000 boys and girls of diverse backgrounds. He has traveled thousands of miles across North America, helping to establish 39 local grass-roots hockey programs, all geared towards serving economically disadvantaged youth. O'Ree stresses the importance of essential life skills, education, and the core values of hockey,which are: commitment, perseverance, and teamwork. "Not only do they learn hockey skills, but they learn life skills as well," O'Ree said. "Education is key."

Willie O'Ree is the National Hockey League's Director of Youth Development and hockey ambassador for NHL Diversity, a post he has held since January 1998.

After its first decade, there are many NHL Diversity success stories -- most notably goaltending prospect Gerald Coleman, who participated in the 1997 Willie O"Ree All-Star Game in Chicago. "It opened my eyes," Coleman said. "Seeing kids from different communities, from around the country, who had the same goal as me, it helped a lot." Drafted by the Tampa Bay Lightning, Coleman made his NHL debut in 2005, thus becoming the first NHL Diversity program participant to make it to the NHL. He now plays in the Anaheim Ducks organization.

DID YOU KNOW?

O'Ree returned to hockey in 1998 when representatives from USA Hockey and the NHL discussed expanding their diversity program and realized that the "NHL's Jackie Robinson" was alive and well. The NHL contacted O'Ree and discussed their plans to introduce "every boy and girl to hockey, regardless of whether they can afford it or not." O'Ree agreed to participate only after being guaranteed that the program would have long-term support. With the motto "Hockey Is for Everyone," NHL Diversity was established with O'Ree as its ambassador.

It gives O'Ree great pride to see a current generation of diverse players in the NHL. "We've got so many great role models, not just black players but players of color," he said.

Willie O'Ree - The Ambassador

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THEY SAID IT

Jarome Iginla, Calgary Flames: “People ask me if I've faced a lot of challenges or discrimination because of my race. I haven't. O'Ree is like the Jackie Robinson of hockey. His situation was different from mine. When I was younger I really looked up to other black players.”

Hall of Famer, Grant Fuhr: "He had to be that much better than anybody else just to get anopportunity. He's the one that made it real for us."

Howard Smith, Hockey in the Hood (Detroit): “Willie is a pioneer; a man with a dream, a desire and motivation to helping kids become involved in hockey and achieving their goals in life… What Willie O'Ree has accomplished in his hockey career (both NHL and Minor Leagues) has been a motivating factor for minority players in the United States and Canada. This has given minority players a dream, an opportunity to play and excel in a great sport; never losing focus on the goal of playing hockey.”

Bruce Holloway, S.C.O.R.E Boston: “Mr. O'Ree has not only given children the confidence to pursue the fun sport of hockey but he has also given their parents the confidence to encourage their children to play the sport. It is no secret that until recently, minority parents had never viewed hockey an inclusive sport, but it is my belief that through his renewed emergence, Mr. O'Ree has changed the face of hockey forever.”

WILLIE SAID IT

On current NHL role models: “What a pleasure it's been to meet players like Mike Grier and Anson Carter who have told me I opened a door and made it possible for them. They know they are role models for younger boys and girls playing now. These kids are now setting goals for themselves because it is possible to break that barrier. You can do what you want if you believe you can and if you think you can, you will.”

On his role: “I was appointed the director of the diversity program on my 40th anniversary by Commissioner Bettman. I have been traveling around Canada and the United States working with our 39 nonprofit programs. I am just having a great time. The youth development program in this country is the greatest. I am happy that I am in a position to give back to the community and give back to the sport.”

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Todd Levy, Chairman of Ice Hockey in Harlem: “O’Ree is a genuine leader and inspiration.”

Anson Carter, NHL alumnus: “Willie O’Ree is a great role model to follow when you think about the barriers he broke down. I can't imagine what he went through being the first black to play in the NHL.“

The city of Fredericton's $16-million sports and leisure complex officially will be named "Willie O'Ree Place" on January 16, 2008. The Fredericton City Council voted unanimously to name the facility after O'Ree, a native of Fredericton.

The arena, which features two NHL-sized ice surfaces, opened officially on March, 29, 2007. The ceremony and gala event will precede O’Ree’s 50th Anniversary celebration on January 18, 2007.

O’Ree joins a list of NHL greats, including Hockey Hall of Famers Wayne Gretzky, Bobby Orr, and Jean Beliveau, to name just a few, to have an arena re-named in their honor. The following is a list of some arenas that have been named in honor of current or former NHL players.

Player Name Arena Name Location

Taffy Abel Taffy Abel Ice Arena Sault Ste. Marie, MIJack Adams Jack Adams Memorial Arena Detroit, MISyl Apps Syl Apps Community Centre Paris, ONMurray Balfour Murray Balfour Arena Regina, SKEarl Balfour Balfour Arena Chelmsford, ONDave Barr Dave Barr Arena Grand Prairie, ABFred Barrett Fred Barrett Arena Ottawa, ONJean Béliveau Colisée Jean-Béliveau Longueuil, QCJean Béliveau Pavillon Jean-Béliveau Victoriaville, QCLeo Boivin Leo Boivin Community Centre Prescott, ONMarcel Bonin Centre récréatif Marcel-Bonin Joliette, QCMike Bossy Aréna Mike-Bossy Laval, QCRaymond Bourque Aréna Raymond-Bourque Saint-Laurent, QCMichel Briére Centre Michel Briére Malartic, QCMartin Brodeur Aréna Martin-Brodeur Saint-Léonard, QCEddie Bush Collingwood (Eddie Bush) Arena Collingwood, ONYvan Cournoyer Olympia Yvan Cournoyer Drummondville, QCAlain Côté Centre sportif Alain-Côté Matane, QCMarcel Dionne Centre Marcel Dionne Drummondville, QCBill Durnan Arena Bill Durnan Montreal, QC Rod Gilbert Aréna Rodrigue-Gilbert Montreal, QCMario Gosselin Aréna Mario-Gosselin Thetford, Mines, QCWayne Gretzky Gretzky Sports Complex Brantford, ON

Willie O’Ree Place

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Player Name Arena Name Location

Doug Harvey Aréna Doug Harvey Montreal, QCTim Horton Tim Horton Events Centre Cochrane, ONGordie Howe Howe Ice Arena Traverse City, MIRejean Houle Aréna Réjean Houle Rouyn-Noranda, QCJoe Juneau Aréna Joé-Juneau Pont-Rouge, QCTed Kennedy Teeder Kennedy Youth Arena Port Colborne, ONDave Keon Aréna Dave Keon Rouyn-Noranda, QC Brian Kilrea Brian Kilrea Arena Ottawa, ONAndré Lacroix Aréna André Lacroix Lévis, QC Guy Lafleur Aréna Guy-Lafleur Thurso, QCJacques Laperrière Aréna Jacques Laperrière Rouyn-Noranda, QCMartin Lapointe Aréna Martin Lapointe Lachine, QCClaude Larose Claude Larose Arena Hearst, ONJacques Lemaire Aréna Jacques Lemaire LaSalle, QCRéjean Lemelin Aréna Réjean-Lemelin Charlesbourg, QCMario Lessard Aréna Mario-Lessard East Broughton, QCEd Litzenberger Litzenberger Park Rink Regina, SKKevin Lowe Aréna Kevin Lowe & Pierre Pagé Lachute, QCGilles Lupien Aréna Gilles Lupien Brownsburg, QCJohn Mariucci Mariucci Arena Minneapolis, MNMario Marois Amphiglace Mario Marois Ancienne-Lorette, QCFrank McCool Frank McCool Arena Calgary, ABMark Messier Mark Messier Arena St. Albert, ABMike Modano Mike Modano Ice Arena Westland, MIHowie Morenz Aréna Howie-Morenz Montreal, QCPierre Morin Aréna Pierre “Pete” Morin Montreal, QCBilly Mosienko Billy Mosienko Arena Winnipeg, MBTroy Murray Troy Murray Arena St. Albert, ABSimon Nolet Aréna Simon Nolet Lac-Etchemin, QCBobby Orr Bobby Orr Community Centre Parry Sound, ONBobby Orr Orr Rink Amherst, MAPete Palangio Pete Palangio Arena North Bay, ONJacques Plante Aréna Jacques-Plante Shawinigan, QCMaurice Richard Aréna Maurice-Richard Montreal, QCStéphane Richer Aréna Stéphane Richer Saint-André-Avellin, QCTerry Sawchuk Terry Sawchuk Memorial Arena Winnipeg, MBAndré Saint-Laurent Aréna André Saint-Laurent Beloeil, QCBabe Siebert Babe Siebert Memorial Arena Zurich, ONJean-Guy Talbot Aréna Jean-Guy Talbot Cap de la Madelaine, QC John Tonelli John Tonelli Sports Centre Milton, ONGilles Tremblay Aréna Gilles-Tremblay Beauport, QCBob Turner Bob Turner Memorial Centre Cornwall, ONJean-ClaudeTremblay Aréna Jean-ClaudeTremblay L’Annonciation, QCJean-ClaudeTremblay Aréna Jean-ClaudeTremblay La Baie, QCMario Tremblay Centre sportif Mario-Tremblay Alma, QCGeorges Vezina Aréna George-Vezina Saguenay (Chicoutimi), QCDoug Wickenheiser Doug Wickenheiser Arena Regina, SK

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1949 - George Armstrong becomes the first Native-Canadian (First Nation) to play in the NHL (Toronto Maple Leafs).

1950 - Art Dorrington becomes the first black player to sign a contract with an NHL team when he joined the New York Rangers organization. He never made it to the NHL.

1958 - Willie O’Ree breaks the NHL color barrier during his debut with Boston (January 18).

Diversity Milestones

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1990 - Jim Paek becomes the first Asian to play in the NHL (Pittsburgh Penguins).

1991 - Bill Guerin becomes the first Hispanic to play in the NHL (New Jersey Devils). - Tony McKegney becomes the first minority to play on the Canadian National Team.

1994 - John Paris of Windsor, Nova Scotia, leads the Atlanta Knights to the International Hockey League championship as the first black head coach in professional hockey.

1995 - Paul Kariya becomes the first Asian player to score 50 goals in a season (Anaheim Ducks).

1997 - Ted Nolan, member of the First Nations Ojibway tribe, wins the Jack Adams Award as NHL Coach of the Year.

1998 - Dirk Graham becomes the first black to serve as head coach in the NHL (Chicago).

2000 - Scott Gomez, of Mexican and Colombian descent, wins the Calder Memorial Trophy.

1984 - Grant Fuhr becomes the first black player to win the Stanley Cup (Edmonton Oilers)

1988 - Grant Fuhr becomes the first black player to win the VezinaTrophy as the NHL’s best goalie. - Dirk Graham is the first black player named captain of an NHL team (Chicago Blackhawks).- Tony McKegney becomes the first black player to score 40 goals (St. Louis Blues).

2002 - Jarome Iginla becomes the first player of African descent to win the Art Ross Trophy, the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy and the Lester B. Pearson Award.

2003 - Jordin Tootoo becomes the first native Inuit to play in the NHL (Nashville).- Grant Fuhr becomes the first black inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame.- Gerald Coleman becomes the first NHL Diversity program graduate selected in the NHL Draft (224th overall by Tampa Bay).

2006 - Jonathan Cheechoo, the first member of the Moose Cree First Nation to play in the NHL, wins the Maurice “Rocket” Richard Trophy.

12 black players who have played in the League this season: (Donald Brashear (WSH),

Dustin Byfuglien (CHI), Trevor Daley (DAL), Nigel Dawes (NYR), Ray Emery (OTT), Mike Grier (SJ), Jarome Iginla (CGY), Georges Laraque (PIT), Jamal Mayers (STL), John Oduya (NJ), Bryce Salvador (STL), Kevin Weekes (NJ).

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