Boston Bruins: Willie O’Ree continues to be honored

Boston Bruins, Willie O'Ree (Photo by Presley Ann/Getty Images)

Former Boston Bruins winger and the first black player in the NHL, Willie O’Ree is to be inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame.

Never has it been a more pertinent time to celebrate a player who broke down barriers. When he suited up for the Boston Bruins on the 18th January 1958, Willie O’Ree was there representing an absolute minority. He showed he wasn’t just a stunt for publicity however, playing a further 2 games that season before going on to play another 43 in the 1961 season.

Hard as it is to swallow, debuting back then, he faced all manner of racial abuse. To his credit, he allowed all of the vitriol spouted by…