Retiring #22: The Boston Bruins Honor the NHL’s First Black Player

Sixty-four years later, the National Hockey League is honoring their “Jackie Robinson.” Mr. Willie O’Ree, the Boston Bruins number 22, broke the color barrier in the NHL back in 1958. He had to overcome many challenges after officially taking the ice. First: being Black, and second: being disabled; O’Ree, undenounced to his teammates was blind in one eye. O’Ree like many Blacks to enter high-profile, previously whites-only spaces, experienced the typical racism and discrimination that plagued the world during the late 1950s. He had to endure much violence and endure constant racial slurs from players, fans, and officials. Famed American sprinter and world-record holding Olympic champion, Wilma Rudolf was an Olympic champion in both 1956 and 1960, around the time that O’Ree was making his introduction on to the national scene. She can be quoted as saying, “never underestimate the power of dreams and the influence of the human spirit. We are all the same in this notion: The potential for greatness lives within each of us.” O’Ree seems to agree. On Tuesday night when his black and yellow NHL jersey rose above the Boston Bruins’ home ice, O’Ree appeared on the jumbotron instead of attending the ceremony in person due covid-19. His number 22 jersey retired on the anniversary of the first night he touched the ice for Boston. Just the same, he was able to speak to the current coaches and players of the Bruins on a video call. O’Ree explained that he and his family were, “overwhelmed and thrilled.”

He was also inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame back in 2018, after working as a diversity ambassador for the NHL for over 20 years. As a young boy, growing up in Canada, the New Brunswick young man was hit in the eye with a puck, which resulted in shattered retina in his right eye. He was told that his dreams of playing hockey could never be achieved. He proved everyone wrong. O’Ree recalls his strategy to winning with his new disability. “I was a left-hand shot, playing left wing, so to compensate, I had to turn my head all the way around to the right.” He continued, “to pick the puck up with my left eye, because I couldn't see out of my right eye. O’Ree played professionally for two stints with the Bruins, with one eye, and not a single eye exam. His skills kept his clubs from raising any questions about his performance abilities, and his determination led him to achieve his goals. All of them.