For Willie O’Ree, California has been a haven

Photo by Rocky W. Widner/NHL/Getty Images Willie O’Ree, the first black player to play an NHL holds up the ceremonial puck prior to the game between the Edmonton Oilers and San Jose Sharks at SAP Center on February 27, 2018 in San Jose, California.For Willie O’Ree, it was love at first sight with the state of California.

It began, of all places, on a chilly Ottawa morning in November 1961, when the 26-year-old O’Ree was summoned by Hull-Ottawa Canadiens general manager Sam Pollock.

“I came into practice one morning, about ten after eight,” O’Ree recalled. “Sam Pollock handed me an envelope, said, ‘We traded you to the Los Angeles Blades. Here’s your plane ticket and expenses. Your plane…