The Boston Bruins honoured Saturday a Canadian many have called the Jackie Robinson of hockey.
It wasn't the first homage paid in recent days to Willie O'Ree, who in 1958 became the first black player to play in the National Hockey League. This past week, the new arena in Fredericton, N.B., was named in O'Ree's honour. That's where he began learning -- in outdoor rinks -- the skills that would help him make history in the years to come.
"I was at a loss for words," O'Ree told 麻豆影视. "It's quite an honour to have a rink named after you."
O'Ree debuted with the Bruins 50 years ago, but he played only two games. He was sent down to the minors, but didn't give up on his shot to return to the big league. The Bruins brought him back three years later, giving him the opportunity to score his first NHL goal.
The moment is still etched strongly in O'Ree's memory.
"It was not only my first, but it was also the winning goal," he said.
While baseball's Robinson broke a colour barrier built on racism, the absence of blacks in hockey didn't have as much to do with intolerance as it did with a lack of players.
Nonetheless, the media drew parallels. But O'Ree just thought of himself as an athlete.
"I didn't say to myself, 'I'm the Jackie Robinson of hockey.' It really didn't dawn on me at the time," he said.
But his coaches knew it wouldn't always be easy for O'Ree.
"(They said), 'Willie, you're going to be the first of your race to play in the NHL,'" O'Ree told The Canadian Press. "Keep in mind that the Bruins organization is behind you 100 per cent, and if you go on the ice and hear any racial remarks don't let it affect your game."
Sometimes he escaped the racial taunts from some fans and opponents, although not always. But O'Ree tried to keep focused on his game.
"I just told myself, 'Names will never hurt you, Willie, unless you let them,'" he recalled.
O'Ree played only 45 games with the Bruins. He was hindered by an injury he had kept secret from coaches and other players. As a teenager, he was blinded in one eye by an errant shot. Yet, O'Ree kept playing and became a role model for new generations of blacks.
"I remember watching Willie O'Ree play as a child and saying to my father, 'That's going to be me someday,'" said Mike Marsen, who became the second black player in the NHL.
O'Ree's stature has not diminished with players today.
"To see the first black player ever to play the game - that's pretty inspiring," says Jerome Iginla of the Calgary Flames.
O'Ree's love for his sport hasn't diminished and neither has his desire to help other kids who dream of going pro. Ten years ago, the NHL asked him to lead diversity clinics, teaching the game to inner city Americans.
With a report by CTV's Roger Smith and files from The Canadian Press
