Topic - Willie O'Ree

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Former Boston Bruins' Willie O'Ree tips his hat as he is honored prior to the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Montreal Canadiens in Boston, Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. O'Ree says the ongoing pandemic hasn't diminished what he says will be a "simply amazing" honor watching his No. 22 jersey retired by the Bruins. O'Ree, who became the first Black NHL player on Jan. 18, 1958, was slated to attend when he became the 12th player in team history to have his number retired prior to Boston's game against Carolina on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. But persisting concerns about the pandemic changed those plans. He will now participate from his home in San Diego. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa) **FILE**

Biden to award Congressional Gold Medal to hockey legend Willie O’Ree

By Jeff Mordock - The Washington Times

In this Jan. 25, 2008, photo, Willie O'Ree, the first black man to play in the National Hockey League, speaks during the NHL's Diversity Luncheon in Atlanta. The Hockey Hall of Fame has added Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League, to its latest class, Tuesday, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) **FILE**

Capitals owners produce film on black hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree

By Adam Zielonka - The Washington Times

In this Feb. 21, 2019 photo Logan Johnson takes part in a Snider Hockey practice at the Scanlon Ice Rink in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

In city centers, a determined effort to diversify hockey

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

FILE - In this Feb. 17, 2018, file photo, Washington Capitals right wing Devante Smith-Pelly (25) argues from the penalty box with Chicago Blackhawks fans during the third period of an NHL hockey game in Chicago. Washington Capitals forward heard the unmistakably racial taunts from fans from inside the penalty box. As a black hockey player, he knew exactly what they meant by yelling, “Basketball, basketball, basketball.” (AP Photo/Jeff Haynes, File)

Racism lingers for NHL players 60 years after O’Ree landmark

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

Hockey Hall of Famer Willie O'Ree, right, who was the first African-American hockey player in the NHL, sits briefly in a replica of seats from Ebbets Field, in front of a large photograph of Jackie Robinson's first game, during a tour of the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, left, Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)

Tour of African American museum stirs up memories for O’Ree

By STEPHEN WHYNO - Associated Press

In this Jan. 25, 2008, photo, Willie O'Ree, the first black man to play in the National Hockey League, speaks during the NHL's Diversity Luncheon in Atlanta. The Hockey Hall of Fame has added Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the National Hockey League, to its latest class, Tuesday, June 26, 2018. (AP Photo/John Bazemore) **FILE**

Gary Bettman, Martin Brodeur, Willie O’Ree top Hockey Hall of Fame class

By Stephen Whyno - Associated Press

National Hockey League Diversity Ambassador Willie O'Ree, the first black player in the NHL, was honored during a ceremony in Boston on Wednesday, Jan. 17, 2018. The ceremony was attended by Boston Mayor Marty Walsh, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and Boston Bruins Chief Executive Officer Charlie Jacobs, who joined together at TD Garden to announce that the Boston Parks and Recreation Department's street hockey rink at Smith Field in Allston-Brighton is named in honor of O'Ree. (Barry Chin/The Boston Globe via AP)

Boston honors hockey pioneer Willie O’Ree

By MATT KALMAN - Associated Press