Willie O'Ree

Willie O'Ree

Willie Eldon O'Ree, OC, ONB (born October 15, 1935 in Fredericton, New Brunswick) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player, known best for being the first black player in the National Hockey League. O'Ree played as a winger for the Boston Bruins. O'Ree is referred to as the "Jackie Robinson of ice hockey" due to breaking the colour barrier in the sport, and has stated publicly that he had met Jackie Robinson twice in his own younger years.