A Historic First
On January 18, 1958, Willie O’Ree, a forward from Fredericton, New Brunswick, became the first Black player in the NHL. The Boston Bruins called him up for a game against the Montreal Canadiens, marking his debut on one of hockey’s biggest stages.
Overcoming Adversity
At 20 years old, O’Ree lost most of the vision in his right eye after a slap shot struck him during a junior league game. He kept this injury a secret to continue playing, despite the competitive disadvantage it caused.
NHL and Beyond
O’Ree scored his first NHL goal on New Year’s Day in 1961 against the Canadiens. After being traded to Montreal that same year, he never returned to the NHL but continued to play in minor leagues, becoming a standout for the Los Angeles Blades in the Western Hockey League.
On January 18, 1958, Willie O’Ree, a forward from Fredericton, New Brunswick, became the first Black player in the NHL. The Boston Bruins called him up for a game against the Montreal Canadiens, marking his debut on one of hockey's biggest stages.🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/tv9vqoKako
— Detective Tiger's Stories (@TigerDetective) January 28, 2025