60th Anniversary of Breaking Colour Barrier

The Boston Bruins Willie O’Ree broke the NHL’s colour barrier 60 years ago today.

In 1958, the Boston Bruins called up Willie O’Ree from the Quebec Aces as the Bruins needed to fill a spot due to injury. On January 18, 1958, O’Ree played in his first NHL game against the Montreal Canadiens and successfully broke the league’s colour barrier, becoming hockey’s version Jackie Robinson – although it was eleven years later.

Unlike when Robinson debuted in Major League Baseball, there was no controversy when O’Ree broke into the league – a testament, perhaps, to what Jackie Robinson accomplished. There was no rule preventing African-American players from playing in the NHL, which could explain why…