Willie O'Ree
Canada's first black hockey player
Fredericton Where Willie O'ree was born
Willie O'ree was born on October 15th, 1935 into a family of 14 children, with Willie being the youngest kid. Willies parents Rosebud and Harry O'ree
Willie first started to play hockey at 14
(Not an image of Willie at 14)
When Willie was 14 his brother Richard taught him how to play hockey. At 15 Willie already was playing on the Frederick Falcons in the New Brunswick Amateur Hockey Association. He kept playing hockey getting better and better and moving the ranks.
When Willie was 19 he passed the ranks of Fredericton
In 1954 Willie stepped up into the senior leagues. At the age of 19 Willie moved to Quebec and played for the Quebec Frontenacs of the Quebec Junior Hockey League where he had 27 goals and 17 assists for 44 points in 43 games.( couldn't use read and write so) I took those words from https://www.britannica.com/biography/Willie-ORee
Willie lost 95% of his vison from being hit by a puck during a game. He was told to stop playing hockey since he could be blind in one eye forever but that didn't stop Willie. In a few months he was back on his feet playing hockey. Willie wanted to play in the Nhl so he kept on playing and getting better until one day on January 18th 1958 Willie was drafted into the NHL to play on the Boston Bruins.
Willie Played in the NHl
Willie played in the NHL from 1958 to 1979 on the Boston Bruins. He was a great player and the first-ever black hockey player in the NHL that's why he is important for black excellent day. Willies is 87 years old right now.