Boston Bruins: Remembering Willie O’Ree’s Impact 60 Years On

It has been 60 years since Willie O’Ree stepped onto the Montreal Forum ice baring a spoked B upon his chest. While making an NHL debut is a significant enough experience, O’Ree was representing so much more than just himself.

Changing Attitudes

That night on January 18th 1958, Willie O’Ree became the NHL’s first black player, for the Boston Bruins. It would come just a decade after Jackie Robinson tore down Baseball’s color boundaries.

The Bruins would win 3-0 against the Montreal Canadiens, and although O’Ree didn’t score a point on the ice, his impact was monumental off it. Even if it wouldn’t be fully appreciated until later on.

There is some contrast to Robinson and O’Ree. Whilst Jackie…