It’s been 67 years since Willie O’Ree became the first black player in the NHL when he made his debut with the Boston Bruins on Jan. 18, 1958. He has made significant contributions to the ...

Presented to individual in U.S., Canada who has positively impacted their community, culture, or society

On Jan. 18, 1958, Canadian Willie O’Ree became the first Black player in the National Hockey League as he made his debut with the Boston Bruins. In 1778, English navigator Captain James Cook reached the present-day Hawaiian Islands, which he dubbed the “Sandwich Islands.”

In the shadows of these histories, however, lie great sports stories of everyday Black Bostonians who forged their own sporting traditions under prejudiced conditions. “ : A Contested Sports History ,

Today in Sports, January 18 - Pittsburgh Steelers win the Super Bowl for second straight year, Lynn Swann is MVP

It’s been 67 years since Willie O’Ree became the first black player in the NHL when he made his debut with the Boston Bruins on Jan. 18, 1958. He has made significant contributions to the hockey world at every level and has been recognized for his impact as a member of the Hockey Hall of Fame. The Bruins retired his No. 22 on Jan. 18, 2022.

A handful of guys were at the time, including Marson and Tony McKegney. Willie O’Ree had broken the NHL color barrier in 1960-61. But it was the 1970s, when the world was less educated on these ...